Re-imagining metastatic breast cancer care delivery: a patient-partnered qualitative study

Sep 24, 2026

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Purpose: Determine how people living with metastatic breast cancer (MBC) would re-imagine supportive care delivery, given persistent gaps despite treatment advances and the lifelong, incurable nature of MBC. Methods: Conduct a qualitative study in partnership with patient-led organizations, using virtual semi-structured interviews (n=36) with purposively sampled community members, then apply two-stage deductive/inductive coding. Results: Identify themes of holistic care, information needs, and conceptual shifts, including referrals, caregiver support, integrative medicine, trial enrollment, curated resources, and long-term goal planning. Conclusion: Patient-driven priorities for supportive care can guide future care redesign for MBC.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages9

Reading Time23 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Introduction

Methods

Semi-structured interviews

Population

Supportive Care in Cancer (2023) 31:735 [https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-023-08201-8](https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-023-08201-8) Re‑imagining metastatic breast cancer care delivery: a patient‑partnered qualitative study Mya L. Roberson1,2 · Anna Henricks3 · Joshua Woods4 · Lesley Glenn5 · Julia Maues6 · Deltra James5 · Sonya Reid7 Received: 24 July 2023 / Accepted: 21 November 2023 / Published online: 30 November 2023 © The Author(s) 2023 Abstract Purpose While significant progress in metastatic breast cancer (MBC) treatment has prolonged survival and improved prognosis, there remain substantial gaps in providing patient-centered supportive care. The specific care delivery needs for metastatic cancer differ from that of early-stage cancer due to the incurable nature and lifelong duration of the condition. The objective of this study was to assess how patients living with MBC would re-imagine cancer care delivery. Methods This qualitative study was conducted in partnership with patient-led organizations Guiding Researchers andAdvocates to Scientific Partnerships (GRASP) and Project Life, a nonprofit, online wellness community founded by patients with MBC for patients living with MBC. Virtual semi-structured interviews (n = 36) were conducted with Project Life memberspurposively sampled from the groups’ overall membership. The interview guide contained items surrounding patients’ lived experiences of MBC, greatest unmet needs related to care, and perspectives on virtual wellness community involvement. Interviews were coded using two-stage deductive and inductive analysis. Results Three major themes for re-imagining cancer care delivery were identified, including holistic care, information needs, and conceptual shifts. Within these several subthemes emerged with patients re-imagining referrals to non-oncological services, caregiver support, acceptance of integrative medicine, streamlined clinical trial enrollment, curated quality patient resources, MBC-specific terminology and approaches, long-term life and goal-of-care planning, and patient-centered voice throughout. Conclusion People living with metastatic cancers have specific supportive care needs. These findings highlight patient-driven areas for re-imagination that are most salient for individuals with MBC. Keywords Qualitative · Metastatic breast cancer · Cancer outcomes · Cancer survivorship · Supportive care Lesley Glenn, Julia Maues, and Deltra James are patient authors. * Mya L. Roberson [Mya_Roberson@unc.edu](Mya_Roberson@unc.edu) 1 Gillings School of Global Public Health, Department of Health Policy and Management, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 1106B McGavran Greenberg Hall, 135 Dauer Drive, CB\#7411, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7411, USA 2 Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, Chapel Hill, NC, USA 3 Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA Introduction Approximately 12% of women in the USA will develop breast cancer in their lifetime, making it the most common cancer diagnosed among women [1, 2] . In part because of 4 Department of Health Policy, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA 5 Project Life, Central Point, OR, USA 6 Guiding Researchers and Advocates to Scientific Partnerships (GRASP), Baltimore, MD, USA 7 Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA treatment advances, the projected prevalence of women living with metastatic breast cancer (MBC) in the USA in 2025 is approximately 170,000 women [3] . Although significant progress MBC treatment has led to increased survival, large gaps in supportive care remain for people with metastatic cancers [4] . New therapeutic options for metastatic cancers have primarily focused on efficacy and effectiveness, with less emphasis on treatment-related sequelae, including reduced quality of life [5] . Many patients with MBC report a lack of knowledg

FAQs

What was the purpose of the study on metastatic breast cancer care delivery?

To assess how patients living with metastatic breast cancer would re-imagine supportive care delivery and address gaps in patient-centered support.

How were participants recruited and what type of interviews were used?

Researchers conducted virtual semi-structured interviews with Project Life members (n=36) using purposive sampling, and the interview guide covered lived experiences, unmet care needs, and views on virtual wellness involvement.

What key themes emerged from patients’ perspectives?

Three major themes were identified: holistic care, information needs, and conceptual shifts, with subthemes spanning referrals to non-oncological services, caregiver support, integrative medicine, streamlined trial enrollment, curated resources, and long-term goals-of-care planning.

Sep 24, 2026

Uploaded by Blitz