Patient Preferences and Long-term Adherence in Breast and Prostate Cancer: Navigating the Challenges of Survivorship and Chronic Treatment
Breast and prostate cancers currently rank among the most frequent malignancies worldwide. Although significant improvements in early detection and targeted therapies have remarkably extended survival rates, these advancements have also transformed many oncological cases into long-term chronic conditions. The ultimate success of these treatments relies heavily on the ability of the patient to adhere to complex and multi-year regimens, such as endocrine therapy or androgen deprivation therapy. Even though these therapies are clinically effective, they often bring significant side effects including vasomotor symptoms, sexual dysfunction, and emotional distress. These persistent challenges frequently lead patients to skip doses or abandon treatment entirely, which significantly increases the risk of disease recurrence. To improve long-term outcomes, it is essential to look deeper into how patients weigh these difficult trade-offs and identify what truly drives their preferences during the complex journey of cancer survivorship.
In the field of oncology, even the most advanced treatment is only as effective as the patient’s willingness to follow it. As we move toward a more personalized model of medicine, integrating the patient's voice into clinical workflows is becoming an essential requirement. This collection offers a comprehensive look at why patients struggle with their regimens and provides evidence-based strategies to improve their overall experience. By understanding the barriers to adherence from the patient's perspective, clinicians can tailor their approach to meet individual needs more effectively. This shift in focus ultimately leads to lower mortality rates and a much better quality of life for survivors. Furthermore, addressing non-adherence helps to reduce the clinical and economic impact of treatment failure, ensuring that the benefits of modern oncological research are fully realized in real-world settings for a broad population of patients.
This Article Collection aims to explore the diverse factors that influence how patients with breast and prostate cancer engage with their treatment. Our goal is to move the conversation beyond just clinical survival metrics and focus instead on the human experience of oncological care. We are looking for original research, systematic reviews, and qualitative studies that investigate the reality of long-term medication persistence. Specifically, we are interested in works regarding the impact of side effects on daily life, the role of shared decision-making in clinical settings, and how patient-reported outcomes can be used to monitor adherence more effectively. We also encourage submissions that examine socioeconomic barriers and the psychological support systems necessary to help patients stay committed to their prescribed protocols. This multidisciplinary collection welcomes contributions from medical oncologists, urologists, oncology nurses, and health psychologists to provide a holistic view of the challenges in chronic cancer treatment.
Keywords: Breast and Prostate Cancer, Patient-Reported Outcomes, Treatment Adherence, Cancer Survivorship, Shared Decision-Making
Dr. Jonas Michel Wolf holds a PhD and a Master’s degree in Cellular and Molecular Biology Applied to Health, along with a degree in Biomedicine, providing him with a strong foundation in clinical analysis, genetics, and molecular biology. Currently, he serves as a Clinical Research Specialist at Hospital Moinhos de Vento (HMV), where he leads the Clinical Practice Management Office (EGPC). In this role, he is responsible for analyzing epidemiological data and outcome indicators across various medical specialties. He was part of the team that restructured the EGPC, a process that led to the institution receiving international recognition, including the ICHOM Implementation Award and high positions in global hospital rankings. In the academic field, he is a professor at the Moinhos de Vento Faculty of Health Sciences (FACSMV), where he previously coordinated the Biomedicine program and contributed to the development of pedagogical projects and the institution’s Academic Master’s program. Additionally, he serves as a faculty advisor for the Graduate Program in Cellular and Molecular Biology Applied to Health at the Lutheran University of Brazil (ULBRA). Beyond his clinical and teaching activities, he collaborates as an editorial board member and peer reviewer for several national and international scientific journals and research funding agencies.
Dr. Juçara Gasparetto Maccari graduated in Medicine from the Federal University of Health Sciences of Porto Alegre (UFCSPA) in 2003. She completed her Residency in Internal Medicine at the same institution (2004–2005) and a Residency in Intensive Care Medicine at Hospital Moinhos de Vento (2006–2007). She holds a PhD in Pulmonology from the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), obtained in 2013. Currently, she serves as an intensivist in the Intensive Care Unit at Hospital Moinhos de Vento (HMV) in Porto Alegre. Additionally, she is the supervising physician for the Rapid Response Team at HMV.
Dr. Arthur Pille holds a degree in Medicine from the Pontifical Catholic University of Paraná (PUCPR). He completed his Residency in Neurology and a Fellowship in Vascular Neurology at the Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA), followed by a Fellowship in Neurohospitalist Medicine at Hospital Moinhos de Vento (HMV). He also earned a Master’s degree in Medical Sciences from the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS) and holds postgraduate specializations in Clinical Research from the BCRI and Vascular Neurology from HMV.
All manuscripts submitted to this Article Collection will undergo desk assessment and peer review if they can pass the desk assessments as part of our standard editorial process; the Guest Advisor for this Collection will not be handling the manuscripts (unless they are an Editorial Board member).
The deadline for submitting manuscripts is 31 March 2027.
Please contact Saniya Qureshi at [email protected] with any queries and discount codes regarding this Article Collection.
