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Multicenter Study
. 2024 May 21;24(1):610.
doi: 10.1186/s12885-024-12231-8.

Awareness and associated factors of venous thromboembolism in breast cancer surgical patients: a cross-sectional study

Qiuzhou Wang  1   2 , Hongxiu Chen  3   4 , Qingyu Yang  1   2 , Jiajia Qiu  5 , Sijin Guo  6 , Yi Zhou  7 , Lihong Huang  8 , Chen Li  9 , Xiaoxia Zhang  10   11   12
Affiliations
Multicenter Study

Awareness and associated factors of venous thromboembolism in breast cancer surgical patients: a cross-sectional study

Qiuzhou Wang et al. BMC Cancer. .

Abstract

Background: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a major complication of breast cancer surgical patients. Assessing VTE awareness enables medical staff to tailor educational programs that improve patient self-management and reduce VTE risk. Therefore, this study aimed to assess VTE awareness among breast cancer surgical patients and identify factors influencing their awareness level.

Methods: A multicenter cross-sectional study was conducted on breast cancer patients scheduled for surgery from May 2023 to November 2023. Data were collected using a general information form and a validated self-assessment questionnaire on VTE awareness for breast cancer surgical patients. Univariate analysis and multiple linear regression analysis were used to analyze the data.

Results: Of 1969 patients included, the term awareness rates for deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism were 42.5% and 26.1%, respectively. Information about VTE was primarily obtained from doctors (30.4%), nurses (24.0%), and social media (23.3%). The overall average VTE awareness score was 1.55 ± 0.53, with the dimension of VTE preventive measures scoring highest, and VTE clinical symptoms/signs scoring lowest. Multivariate analysis identified education level, personal VTE history, chemotherapy and surgical history, and the hospital's regional location as significant factors associated with VTE awareness level (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: This study highlights a critical need for improved VTE awareness among breast cancer surgical patients, particularly regarding clinical symptoms/signs. Health education programs are recommended especially tailored for patients with lower education levels, no history of VTE, or without prior surgery or chemotherapy, to improve their understanding of VTE.

Keywords: Awareness level; Breast cancer; Deep vein thrombosis; Pulmonary embolism; Venous thromboembolism.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Terminology awareness related the cardiovascular diseases
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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