Perelman School of Medicine Events Calendar

"Chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy in non-metastatic breast cancer: Patient experience and clinical impact"

Rebecca Speck
PhD Candidate
Division of Epidemiology
Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology

Dissertation Advisor: Angela DeMichele, MD, MSCE
Committee Chair: Mary Sammel, ScD

Abstract: Chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is an adverse effect of multiple chemotherapeutic agents, including taxane-based chemotherapy, the most frequently used therapy for treating breast cancer – the most common cancer among women. CIPN symptoms are a serious burden for patients – affecting quality of life, threatening safety, and preventing delivery of maximally effective treatment. Few prevention options have been tested, and no available symptomatic therapies have demonstrated effectiveness. As a result, patients are forced to cope with symptoms, and oncologists must decide whether to modify treatment schedule, dose, and completion. Using a purposive sample of 25 breast cancer patients treated with docetaxel or paclitaxel, half with and half without CIPN, we conducted semi-structured interviews to explore the self-management strategies utilized to cope with the affect of CIPN symptoms, and to discriminate the CIPN experience from other toxicities. We also conducted a retrospective cohort study of 488 women treated with docetaxel or paclitaxel for non-metastatic breast cancer to measure the incidence of treatment modification (TM) events attributed to CIPN (CIPN-TM), and assess whether body mass index (BMI) and body surface area (BSA) were risk factors. Through qualitative data analysis we found that CIPN affected routine activities, functions, and behaviors in the areas of domestic, work, and social/leisure life. Multiple self-management and coping strategies to minimize the impact of CIPN symptoms were reported; the focus was on movement to reduce symptoms, attitude awareness, logistics to simplify demands, and environmental change. We also found that taste alteration was a commonly experienced side effect, regardless of CIPN status. Similarly to CIPN, taste alteration affected breast cancer patients' lives, and patients developed management strategies to deal with the effect. In the retrospective cohort study 50 (10.2%) women had a TM-CIPN, (2.4% with docetaxel and 16.1% with paclitaxel, p<0.001). BMI and BSA were not independently associated with the risk of TM-CIPN, suggesting that CIPN itself is not leading to inferior treatment delivery in obese breast cancer patients. Assessment of the effectiveness of reported self-management strategies is a logical target of future research. Other explanations for the disparity in survival outcomes among obese patients deserve investigation. 

Next Pre-departure Orientation for Penn Travelers: October 11, 2012

The next pre-departure orientation for Penn travelers headed to Botswana will take place Thursday, October 11, from 4-6 PM in the 5th Floor Conference Room of the Johnson Pavilion at 3610 Hamilton Walk on Penn's Campus. We will give an overview of Botswana history, culture, and the work of the Partnership, in addition to providing traveler tips (e.g., currency, booking flights). All are welcome to attend. Bring your questions!

The outreach lecture this month is on 'Respiratory distress and CHF.' 

"Perspectives: Healthcare in Africa" will take place on Thursday, October 11th at 5PM in JMHH 260 (Huntsman Hall). The speaker panel will feature:

Dr. Harvey M. Friedman, Perelman School of Medicine
Dr. Friedman is the director of the Botswana-UPenn Partnership at the medical school, as well as the Chief of the Infectious Diseases Division.

Dr. Timothy Rebbeck, Perelman School of Medicine
Dr. Timothy Rebbeck of the Abramson Cancer Center has research interests related to prostate cancer in West Africa. He has worked with urology and oncology collaborators in Dakar, Senegal, and Accra, Ghana, and is currently working on a research project on the genetics of prostate cancer in Dakar.

Megan Doherty
Megan works in the Center of Public Health Initiatives at Penn, and teaches on water and sanitation projects in Cameroon, as well as community health in Ghana. Megan is also a returned volunteer from the Peace Corps, where she worked in the health sector in Mali.

Pamela Hoto, SAS ’16
Pamela was born and raised in Zimbabwe and will be discussing her personal firsthand experiences with the healthcare she received there.

Elizabeth Mensah, Wharton ‘13
Elizabeth will be writing her senior thesis on healthcare management in Africa and will discuss her current research progress. 

 The event's purpose is to educate Penn students on campus about healthcare systems in Africa comparatively to the United States and the rest of the world.

Webinar Thursday: Insider tips to land your global health internship!

Don't forget to register for our upcoming webinar to learn more about starting your career in global health. Three former GHFP-II interns, and two GHFP-II staff members will be on hand to discuss paths into global health, the experience of a USAID intern, and to directly answer your questions! It is our mission to bring a wider audience into conversation with global health, and to help the body of global health professionals reflect the diversity of the American people.

This webinar comes at no cost to you, and is available wherever internet access is served. We look forward to seeing you Thursday!

GHFP-II Webinar

How to land your Global Health internship - Tips from recruiters and interns!

Date and Time

Thursday October 11, 2012  |  2-3:30 pm EST  |  11 am - 12:30 pm PST

Click here for registration. 

Time is limited!