Health-related quality of life of premenopausal young breast cancer survivors undergoing endocrine therapy

Abstract

PurposeThe incidence of breast cancer in premenopausal women in South Korea is higher compared to the West. This study aimed to identify factors associated with the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among survivors with premenopausal young breast cancer undergoing endocrine therapy by examining the effects of menopausal symptoms, social support, and resilience on HRQoL. MethodsCross-sectional study was used to select survivors with breast cancer undergoing endocrine therapy. The study instruments used included a basic information questionnaire, Menopause Rating Scale, Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, Connor–Davidson Resilience Scale, and Health-Related Quality of Life Instrument with 8 items. Researchers utilized independent t-tests, one-way analysis of variance, Pearson's correlation coefficients, and multiple linear regression to analyze the data. The data were collected from August to September 2021, and the questionnaire was administered via a link posted on a bulletin board of an online breast cancer survivors community. Finally, 133 questionnaires were included in the final analysis. ResultsAmong 150 participants, 133 completed the questionnaires. HRQoL was higher in the groups with a monthly income of ≥5 million KRW (β = 0.231, p = .011), fewer menopausal symptoms (β = −0.399, p < .001), and higher social support (β = 0.170, p = .038), and lower in the group receiving endocrine therapy and OFS (β = −0.192, p = .010). The explanatory power for HRQoL of premenopausal young breast cancer survivors undergoing endocrine therapy was 38.3% (F = 10.634, p < .001). ConclusionBreast cancer survivors should be supported to participate in economic activity, utilize rehabilitation and intervention programs to alleviate menopausal symptoms, and benefit from a social support network formed by the hospital, community, and government.