Quality of Life in Women with Localised Breast Cancer or Malignant Melanoma 2 Years After Initial Treatment: a Comparison

Abstract

Two thirds of female breast cancer patients and more than 80 % of malignant melanoma patients are diagnosed with localised disease and good prognosis with a 5-year relative survival of more than 90 % in Germany. This study was conducted to present quality of life (QoL) data from a German population-based cohort of female breast cancer and melanoma patients without recurrence for approximately 2 years after initial diagnosis. In 2003-2004, patients with localised breast cancer and melanoma were recruited from the Munich Cancer Registry (Upper Bavaria, Germany) to answer QoL questionnaires. Differences between breast cancer and melanoma patients were investigated with regard to age and aspects of communication with their medical caregivers. One thousand three hundred and four breast cancer and 348 melanoma patients were included. Breast cancer patients were about 7 years older and had significantly lower QoL and higher symptom scores than melanoma patients. Communication needs were generally similar in both groups; however, breast cancer patients experienced more empathy from their medical caregivers. In breast cancer patients, communication was an independent factor for all QoL functioning scores. Even when faced with a similarly good prognosis, breast cancer patients have a worse QoL than melanoma patients 2 years after diagnosis. An explanation may be more distinctive surgery and systemic therapy, older patients with comorbidities and misunderstood risk communication in breast cancer patients that may stoke anxiety and fears. Further reasons could be unceasing public discussion about breast cancer and its instrumentalisation for political purposes.