A recent study by Germany researchers shows young breast cancer survivors may suffer from more long-term effects than older patients. As patients may not be getting the appropriate therapy needed for coping with the aftermath of the disease.
Researchers sampled nearly 200 breast cancer patients who had been diagnosed 10 years ago and asked about their physical symptoms and current therapy treatments. Results showed that 65 percent of the respondents were still under a physician's care. Over half of them had physical complaints that included arm problems and fatigue.It was seen that the age of respondents also made a significant difference. Seventy-one percent of women younger than age 50 reported far greater problems than the older patients. Researchers say lower energy levels of younger patients may be due to the fact that many of them are working and running households, whereas older patients are focusing on taking care of themselves and not necessarily working.
Thus researchers conclude saying "Nowadays all kinds of care programs exist to deal with the physical and emotional problems associated with a new diagnosis of breast cancer. It is important that we make the same kind of facilities available to breast cancer survivors, who despite being free of disease, can still suffer greatly with both physical and psychosocial problems."
