The Role of Pharmacists in Delivering Pharmaceutical Services to Breast Cancer Patients in Clinical and Community Settings: A Scoping Review

Abstract

(1) Background: Patient-centered care for individuals with breast cancer requires multidisciplinary cooperation to ensure the appropriate use of medication and prevent medication-related problems. Pharmaceutical care has been associated with improved adherence in breast cancer management, a factor linked to patient outcomes and mortality. This study aims to summarize and explore the provision and utilization of pharmaceutical services for breast cancer patients by pharmacists. (2) Methods: A scoping review was performed to assess the pharmacist's role in providing pharmaceutical services for patients with breast cancer. A comprehensive review of four databases (PubMed, Ovid Embase, Ovid International Pharmaceutical Abstracts, and Scopus) was completed between 1 January 2012 and 8 April 2025 according to PRISMA-ScR framework. (3) Results: A total of 46 articles met the inclusion criteria, which included RCTs, observatory studies, cohort studies, and reviews. Findings suggest that both clinical and community pharmacists play an important role in prevention, management, and education for breast cancer patients. (4) Conclusions: Pharmacists can improve health outcomes by providing pharmaceutical service in breast cancer care. Optimizing interventions, expanding services, and evaluating long-term cost-effectiveness is needed in the future.

Keywords: breast cancer; clinical pharmacist; community pharmacist; pharmaceutical care.

Figure 1

PRISMA flowchart for study selection.