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The survey data have some limitations. Two of the larger surveys had an international
focus, 1 involving face-to-face interviews with patients referred by their oncologists in both
developed and developing countries. Otherwise, the 13 surveys may not have captured data
representative of the entire MBC population. First, all but 1 survey was completed online.
Consequently, the demographic information collected reflects Internet users, who tend to
be affluent, educated, and white [116] —and data from population-based registries show that
poor and black patients have worse breast cancer outcomes [30] . And because these surveys
were promoted in online patient MBC communities, it is likely that some motivated patients
responded to more than 1 survey. Finally, overall, the survey respondents had a mean age
of 55 years (younger than the median age of invasive breast cancer diagnosis in the US, 61
years) [30] , were well educated, had health insurance, were married or partnered, and were
predominantly white, and nearly half had children still living at home.
Not available for review and analysis are the upcoming results from the Novartis Oncology
“Make Your Dialogue Count” survey in the US, conducted during the summer of 2014. This
survey included 234 caregivers, along with 359 women living with MBC and 252 licensed
oncologists to better understand potential gaps in treatment goals among patients and
oncologists, experiences dealing with treatment side effects, and related emotional
dynamics. Survey responses will be reported in December 2014 at the San Antonio Breast
Cancer Symposium.

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