Quality of Life in Breast Cancer Patients: An Overview of the Literature

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Quality of life in patients with breast cancer is an important outcome. This chapter presents an overview of the literature on the topic ranging from descriptive findings to clinical trials. There is quite an extensive body of the literature on quality of life in breast cancer patients. Studies on quality of life in breast cancer have made a considerable contribution in improving breast cancer care, although their exact benefit is hard to define. Quality of life data in breast cancer patients provided scientific evidence for clinical decision-making and conveyed helpful information concerning breast cancer patients’ experiences during the course of the disease diagnosis, treatment, disease-free survival time, and recurrences; otherwise finding solutions for evidence-based selection of optimal treatments, psychosocial interventions, patient–physician communications, allocation of resources, and indicating research priorities were impossible. More qualitative research is needed for a better understanding of the topic. In addition, issues related to the disease, its treatment side effects and symptoms, and sexual functioning should receive more attention when studying quality of life in breast cancer patients. List of Abbreviations: A, doxorubcin; ALND, axillary lymph node dissection; ANA, anastrozole; BCPT-BESS, breast cancer prevention trial eight symptom scale; BCPT-SCL, BCPT symptom checklist; BCQ, breast cancer chemotherapy questionnaire; BCS, breast conservation surgery; BI, body image; BIBCQ, body image after breast cancer questionnaire; C, cyclophosphamide; CTCb, cyclophosphamide, thiotepa, and carboplatin; DPPE, tesmilifene; E, epirubcin; EORTC QLQ-BR23, European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer breast cancer specific quality of life questionnaire; EXE, exemestane; F, 5-fluorouracil; FACT-B, functional assessment of cancer therapy breast cancer specific questionnaire; FACT-B+4, impact of arm morbidity subscale for FACT-B; FACT-B-plus ES, an endocrine symptom subscale for the FACT-B; FACT-G, functional assessment of cancer therapy-general; FSAQ, Fallowfield’s sexual activity questionnaire; FU, future perspective; G-CSF, granulocyte colony stimulating factor; HADS, hospital anxiety and depression scale; LASA, linear analogue selfassessment; LSQ-32, life satisfaction questionnaire; M, methotrexate; MAS, mastectomy; MRM, modified radical mastectomy; PTSD, post-traumatic distress disorder; QLACS, quality of life in adult cancer survivors; QOL, quality of life; RSC, Rotterdam symptom checklist; SEE, sexual enjoyment; SEF, sexual functioning; SF-36,medical outcomes study short form survey; SLDS-BC, satisfaction with life domains scale for breast cancer; SNLB, sentinel lymph node biopsy; T, docetaxel; TAM, tamoxifen