ESTRO 2025 - Abstract Book

S536

Clinical - Breast

ESTRO 2025

Material/Methods: This is a single institution qualitative study where early radiation oncology review before PST has been offered since 2010. Consecutive patients were invited to participate in semi-structured qualitative interviews. Patients were eligible for participation if they were: over the age of 18, had a primary breast cancer diagnosis, had previously attended an early radiation oncology consult at diagnosis prior to PST, were returning to the radiation oncology clinic post-operatively, and had not previously received radiotherapy. Audio recordings of participant interviews were transcribed and reflexive thematic analysis was performed. 1,2 Transcripts were manually coded and grouped into themes and sub-themes, with sub-themes occurring in a minimum of 20% of interviews. The study continued until thematic saturation was achieved. Results: In total, 19 patients enrolled from Nov 2023- Sept 2024. The following factors were identified that affect patient interest in early radiation oncology review: (1) reassurance given the stress of uncertainty, ‘fear of the unknown’ (2) information overload, compounded by ‘emotional overload’ (3) access to information, ‘knowledge is power’ (4) current lifestyle and need to forward plan, ‘having a plan’ and (5) perceptions about their MDT, ‘trust in the team’ (Figure 2). The themes identified were similar for patients who underwent breast conserving surgery and those who underwent mastectomy.