A Qualitative Study on the Prehabilitation Needs of Patients and Medical Personnel for Breast Cancer Patients Following Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy

Abstract

Background: Breast cancer poses a significant threat to the health of women worldwide. This study comprehensively explored the need for breast cancer patients to enhance their quality of life following neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

Objective: To understand the real-life experiences of breast cancer patients after preoperative neoadjuvant chemotherapy and healthcare professionals’ awareness of prehabilitation post-neoadjuvant chemotherapy, providing references for developing targeted intervention measures.

Methods: Using descriptive phenomenology, 32 patients from breast surgery departments of five tertiary hospitals nationwide and 28 healthcare professionals were selected for semistructured interviews between March 2025 and May 2025. The data analysis followed Colaizzi’s seven-step method.

Results: Four key themes emerged: the preoperative needs of breast cancer patients after neoadjuvant chemotherapy, personal patient goals, healthcare professionals’ understanding of prehabilitation, and optimal timing for prehabilitation interventions.

Conclusion: Healthcare providers should address breast cancer patients’ psychological, physical activity, nutritional, underlying health conditions, economic, and health education needs following neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Enhanced attention should be given to changes in patients’ role perception and attitudes toward rehabilitation. Improving medical staff’s prehabilitation awareness and developing multidisciplinary personalized prehabilitation programs post-neoadjuvant chemotherapy will facilitate patient recovery.