#1622 Long Term Adjustment of Survivors of Early Stage Breast Cancer 20 Years After Adjuvant Chemotherapy. AB Kornblith, JE Herndon, RB Weiss, EL Zuckerman, S Rosenberg, M Mertz, C Zhang, D Payne, M Massie, JF Holland, G Bosi, JC Byrd, L Leone, L Norton, JC Holland; Beth Israel Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY; Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC; Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC; Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY; University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa; Mt. Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY; Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, DC; Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, RI; Cancer and Leukemia Group B, Chicago, IL The long-term impact of breast cancer (BC) and its treatment was assessed in 153 BC survivors (Ss) previously treated on a Phase III randomized trial (CALGB 7581) of adjuvant CMF, with or without vincristine + prednisone, or the immunostimulant MER, a median of 20 years after their entry to CALGB 7581 (current median age=64 years, 83% relapse-free since 1981, all currently NED). Ss were interviewed by telephone using standardized measures of physical status, adjustment (adj.), and adj.-mediating factors: Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI) Breast Cancer Anxiety & Screening Behavior (BCASB), Psychosocial Adjustment to Illness Scale (PAIS), Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Checklist (PCL-C), EORTC QLQ-C30 (overall quality of life), Life Experience Survey (stressful life events) (LES, MOS Social Support Survey, and co-morbid conditions (OARS). Items concerning lymphedema, skin ulcers,and numbness in hands, feet or chest were developed to assess long-term BC treatment side effects and their interference with functioning (SE). Only 5 % of Ss scored above cutoff scores suggestive of clinical levels of distress (BSI),<1% met the diagnostic criteria for PTSD (PCL-C), and, on average, Ss reported that BC-related anxiety occurred less often than ‘rarely (BCASB). Lymphedema (27%) and numbness (20% were reported continuing as a current problem. Hierarchical regressions revealed that Ss reporting less distress (BSI) were older (p=.011), had better physical functioning (EORTC, p=.021), less severe physical symptoms (EORTC, p=002), and a greater social support (MOS, p=.002). While ISE was initially a highly significant predictor of BSI (p=.0001), its effect was masked when related variables of physical status (EORTC physical symptoms; OARS functional interference of co-morbid conditions) were entered into the regressions. Thus the impact of BC on Ss is minimal 20 years after initial treatment, with better adj. In older Ss, with greater social support and better physical status. However the long-term impact of treatment side effects on adj. may be going underrecognized. Every patient had loss, UNLESS they used Tamoxifen or bisphosphonates at the same time as chemo Chemo Causes Rapid Bone Loss in Premenopausal Women Essential Fatty Acids & Post-Meno Bone Loss High Isoflavone Intake Increases BMD-Postmeno CMF and Significant Loss in Clavicle-Pre-menopausal Remember we are NOT Doctors and have NO medical training. This site is like an Encylopedia - there are many pages, many links on many topics. Support our work with any size DONATION - see left side of any page - for how to donate. You can help raise awareness of CAM.