Psychological aspects of quality of life of breast cancer survivors

Abstract

Background: Cancer is one of the most important health concerns and evaluating quality of life in cancer patients is an increasingly important issue. Objectives: To assess psychological facets of quality of life of patient suffering from breast cancer and to establish the relationship with socio- demographic determinants. Material and methods: A hospital based cross sectional study was conducted at rural tertiary health care centre among a total of 78 breast cancer patients in the year 2017. Data were collected by utilizing questionnaire focused on the psychological aspects of quality of life of breast cancer patients. Descriptive and inferential statistics were applied to find out significant association between demographic variables and quality of life. Results: Among the total of 78 breast cancer patients max, 65.3 % were in age group 45-60 years, 83.3% and 41.6% participants were unemployed and followed economic class II however; illiteracy was reported in 34.6% cases. The low age at diagnosis of disease was 30 years with max, 43.5% and 61.5% patients experienced very difficult to cope up with disease and treatment. Anxiety and depression each was experienced by maximum, 71.6% participants respectively however; almost similar psychological attitude was experienced by breast cancer patients. Determinants like occupation, economic status and marital behavior (p<0.05) were significantly associated with psychological aspects of quality of life of breast cancer patients. Conclusion: Family support, counseling, quality health care services and breast cancer supporting group could induces confidence and positive attitude towards breast cancer as well as further quality of life.