Factors Influencing Quality of Life in Breast Cancer Patients Six Months after the Completion of Chemotherapy.

Maria Lavdaniti,Kalliopi Marmara,Polixeni Liamopoulou,Dimitra Owens,Eugenia Vlachou,Efrosini Zioga,Michael Mantzanas,Eftychia Evangelidou

doi:10.3390/diseases7010026

Abstract

Purpose: To assess breast cancer patients’ quality of life six months after the completion of adjuvant chemotherapy, and to investigate factors affecting this. Methods: The study was conducted in one large hospital located in a major Greek city. A convenience sample of 61 breast cancer outpatients was recruited. A questionnaire, including the SF-36 scale and questions regarding demographic and clinical information, was used to collect data. Results: The mean age of the patients was 51.52 ± 12.10. The effect of age on the physical role was significant (p = 0.003). Τhe effect of menopausal status on physical role was also found to be significant (p = 0.003); this might be explained by age. Regarding the treatment type, patients who received hormone therapy in addition to surgery and chemotherapy reported a significantly higher quality of life in terms of bodily pain (p = 0.04) and vitality (p = 0.04) than patients who underwent only surgery and chemotherapy. Conclusions: Quality of life is affected by factors such as age, menopausal status, and previous therapy. Health care professionals should be more aware of the factors that influence the quality of life domains (physical role, bodily pain, vitality) within this group of cancer patients in order to meet their needs following acute treatment.

Highlights

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women worldwide
The inclusion criteria for patients were: A minimum age of 18, the ability to speak and read the Greek language, a histological breast cancer diagnosis, and chemotherapy treatment completed at most six months ago as an outpatient
We found that age affected one subscale of quality of life, physical role

Summary

Introduction

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women worldwide. In Greece, it is estimated that one in twelve women will be affected by breast cancer during her lifespan. Almost 4500 women are diagnosed with breast cancer every year [1]. It is the leading cancer type in women in all European countries [2]. Diseases 2019, 7, 26 expectations, standards, and concerns” by the World Health Organization Quality of Life Group. This definition considers that quality of life is a subjective concept and depends on an individual’s judgment [3] Quality of life (QOL) is defined as “an individual’s perception of his/her position in life in the context of the culture and value systems in which he/she lives and in relation to his/her goals, Diseases 2019, 7, 26; doi:10.3390/diseases7010026 www.mdpi.com/journal/diseases

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