ESTRO 2021 Abstract Book

S377

ESTRO 2021

PH-0492 Modesty in breast cancer patients during radiotherapy: interim results of a multicentric study L. Boldrini 1 , C. Elia 1 , V. Pollutri 1 , L. Dinapoli 1 , M. Caliandro 2 , S. Manfrida 1 , V. Masiello 1 , D. Chieffo 3 , M. Balducci 1 , F. Marazzi 1 , F. Gregucci 2 , M.A. Gambacorta 1 , S.P. Colangione 4 , A. Fiorentino 2 , V. Valentini 1 1 Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "A. Gemelli" IRCCS, Radiology, Radiation Oncology and Hematology, Rome, Italy; 2 Ospedale generale Regionale F. Miulli, Radiation Oncology, Acquaviva delle Fonti, Italy; 3 Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "A. Gemelli" IRCCS, Clinical Psychology, Rome, Italy; 4 Ospedale degli Infermi - AUSL Romagna, Radiotherapy Unit, Rimini, Italy Purpose or Objective The relationship with their own body may change for many breast cancer (BC) patients who have undergone surgery and other oncological treatments may significantly affect their modesty and body confidence. Nevertheless, only little concern has been reserved in literature to patients’ modesty and body perception during adjuvant radiotherapy (RT), which is performed exposing breasts. Aim of this study is to present the preliminary data and interim results of a multicentric prospective observational study, aimed to describe how nudity and modesty are perceived by patients undergoing adjuvant RT for BC. Materials and Methods Modesty is evaluated by means of a 11 questions self-test questionnaire (9 yes/no questions and 2 open questions), developed for the specific purpose and administered to consecutive female BC patients undergoing RT during the first week of treatment. Table 1a reports the list of questions. Results 245 patients have been enrolled since August 2020 in three Italian institutions (center A 119, center B 103, center C 23). Patients mean age was 56±10.5 years and all the patients have completely filled the administered questionnaire. 78% of patients stated not to be embarrassed being bare chest during RT, while 40% admitted that exposing themselves undressed has become more difficult after cancer surgery. Religious feelings, RT staff sex and age did not appear to influence patients’ perceived modesty and overall comfort. Interesting suggestions to improve patients comfort were collected from free text answers, such as:

· Presence of at least one female member in the staff during RT sessions · Presence of the same staff members during the entire course of RT · Reducing distance from dressing room to treatment couch

Empathy and professionality of the RT staff; listening to music during RT delivery and “ice-breaking exhortations” have been identified by patients as strength points of the healthcare provider-patient relationship. The attendance of male only RT staff and the simultaneous presence of different healthcare workers in the therapy room, on the other hand, reduced patients’ comfort. Results are listed in Table 1b.

Conclusion These preliminary interim data show that 44% of BC patients experience modesty issues during RT. Modesty and nudity perception represent therefore interesting topics to be explored with the aim to further promote patients wellbeing during RT treatment.

PH-0493 The impact of anal VMAT on radiotherapy skin reactions L. Buckley 1 , M. Theodoulou 2 , V. Lavin 3 , P. Bridge 4