Quality of life among breast cancer patients: a cross sectional study

Abstract

Background: Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women globally. Over the last decade, Quality of life (QOL) has become an important outcome measure in the treatment of cancer patients. Aim and Objective-.1) To evaluate the Quality of life among Breast cancer patients; 2) To describe the socio-demographic profile of Breast cancer patients; 3) To find out association between socio-demographic characteristics of patients and Quality of life.Methods: It was a cross sectional, descriptive and hospital based study. Total duration of study was 6 months (April 2015-September 2015), conducted in Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), Ranchi, Jharkhand 84 breast cancer patients were selected as study subjects and were interviewed by a validated questionnaire.Results: A total of 84 breast cancer patients were included in the study, most of the patients were between 40-60 years, mean age being 43.32±10.2. Most were non tribal, belonging to Hindu Religion. Majority were married. None of the participants had above average or significantly high QOL. 20.2% had average QOL, 51.2% had below average and 28.6% had significantly poor QOL. Married patients were found to have a significantly better QOL (p<0.05). QOL had no association with age, ethnicity, religion, education, occupation or socio-economic status of participants (p>0.05).Conclusions: Present study showed that majority of Breast cancer patients had poor QOL. Married patients were leading a comparatively better QOL than unmarried.