PO58 | TACKLING THE AWARENESS GAP IN CANCER-ASSOCIATED THROMBOSIS: IMPACT OF A BRIEF EDUCATIONAL INTERVENTION IN PATIENTS WITH GYNECOLOGICAL CANCERS

P. Santini, F. Mancinetti, G. Fracassa, E. Fondi, E. Ianuà, A. D'Errico, M. Bigossi, C. Marchetti, V. Salutari, G. Scambia, C. Nero, R. Pola | Agostino Gemelli University Hospital Foundation IRCCS, Rome, Italy

Background. Education and patient awareness regarding cancer-associated thrombosis (CAT) remain an unmet need in patients with cancer. A global online-based survey conducted by the World Thrombosis Day Steering Committee among 2,262 patients with cancer showed that only 67.8% received instructions to seek medical attention in case of suspected thrombosis, 36.9% reported poor understanding of thrombotic risk, and 32.4% experienced psychological distress after becoming aware of CAT.

Aims and Methods. Within the GynCAT study (NCT06284343), patients with gynecological malignancies undergoing systemic therapy received a single 5–7-minute educational intervention on CAT risk, related risk factors, and management, delivered by internists/angiologists during chemotherapy. At least six months later, 509 patients were invited to complete the online-based survey previously used by the World Thrombosis Day Steering Committee to assess awareness of CAT.

Results. Of 509 questionnaires distributed, 354 responses were received (response rate 69.5%). Most respondents were aged 50–79 years (80.8%) and ethnicity was mainly Caucasian (89.4%). Cancer sites included ovary (68.7%), uterus (28.5%), and cervix (8.0%). Overall, 90.3% of patients recalled having received information about CAT risk. Overall understanding of thrombotic risk was rated on a 1–10 scale, with a median score of 7 (interquartile range 6–8). Patients identified chemotherapy (61.9%), reduced physical activity (47.4%), recent surgery (39.0%), previous thrombosis (33.7%), and central venous catheter (21.8%) as thrombotic risk factors. Signs and symptoms considered indicative of thrombosis included swelling (80.6%), sensation of warmth or heaviness (54.9%), redness (49.4%), and limb pain (43.1%), dyspnea (32.0%), chest pain (21.1%), irregular or rapid heartbeat (16.9%), and cough with blood (10.3%). Instructions on how to access medical care in case of symptoms were recalled by 84.4% of respondents. After receiving information on CAT risk, 52.1% reported no particular concerns, only 17.5% perceived anxiety, 1.6% reported frustration or sadness, and 28.9% were unsure. Information was considered absolutely essential by 43.3% of patients and very important by 41.1%.

Conclusions. A brief, single educational intervention delivered during chemotherapy sessions was associated with high recall of information on CAT, satisfactory understanding, and high perceived importance among patients with gynecological cancers.