Evaluation of Lifestyle for Women with Breast Cancer

Abstract

Introduction: Breast cancer is a significant global health concern, affecting millions of women worldwide. While advancements in diagnosis and treatment have improved survival rates, the impact of this disease extends beyond physical health. It also significantly influences a woman's lifestyle and overall well-being. Objectives: The current study intends to analyze the lifestyle of breast cancer patients who are receiving therapy or are being followed up at the Oncology Teaching Hospital in Medical City, Baghdad, Iraq. Method: The present study uses a descriptive design with an application of an evaluation approach. A convenience sample of 100 women with breast cancer was selected from the Teaching Oncology Hospital at the Medical City in Baghdad City, Iraq. The study's objectives are served by a questionnaire. Physical, role, emotional, cognitive, and social functioning are its five functional domains. These domains are evaluated as low, moderate and high. Each study participant received a questionnaire explaining how to complete it, along with a form requesting their approval to remain anonymous. They also had the opportunity to leave the study at any time without being provided an explanation. A panel of (10) experts determines the questionnaire's content validity, and its internal consistency reliability is calculated via the split-half method with a Cronbach’s alpha correlation coefficient of (r=0.92). Data are collected using the study questionnaire, and they are then analyzed via a descriptive statistical data analysis approach on the basis of frequency and percentage. Results: The study revealed that the majority of these women experienced sleep issues, but most of them experienced problems with body weight gain (70%), social and community activity (70%), sexuality (60%), stress (60%), diet (56%), physical activity (50%) and smoking (45%), and some of them took birth control pills and used hormone replacement therapy (43%). Conclusion: This study revealed that women with breast cancer have experienced a variety of lifestyle domain-associated problems. These problems are clearly manifested in the results of this study.