Abstract
All methods of breast cancer treatment may potentially lead to breast deformities, which are often associated with the reduced mental well-being of patients. Breast conserving therapy (BCT) is commonly used, and its core element is breast conserving surgery (BCS).The aim of this study was to determine the level of satisfaction with the aesthetic outcome of surgery and quality of life (QoL) of breast cancer patients undergoing BCT in a longitudinal study performed three months, six months and 12 months after surgery. This longitudinal observational study was carried out on a group of 91 women. The Breast-QTM BCT 1.0 questionnaire was used in this study. Before surgery, patients assessed their satisfaction with the appearance of their breasts (SwB) at an average level of M = 56.0. Satisfaction with the aesthetic outcome (SwO) of BCS was highest among all patients three months after surgery (M = 63.0). The mean score in the sub-scale of psychosocial well-being (Psycho-soc W-B) before surgery was M = 62.0, while in the subsequent periods of the study, it was higher. The mean score for physical well-being (Physical W-B) before surgery was M = 69.92; and in the subsequent study periods, it was lower. The level of patient satisfaction with the outcome of the surgery and the QoL related to health do not differ significantly in post-operative observation. QoL in terms of psychosocial functioning in patients undergoing BCT is significantly higher 12 months after surgery compared to the pre-operative period. Patient satisfaction with the BCS aesthetic outcome is positively related to the evaluation of QoL in terms of psychosocial functioning.
Highlights
In the Polish population, breast cancer is the most common malignant cancer in women
In 57.1% of women, cancer was found in the right breast, no special type (NST)
There are no scientific reports comparing the results of the Breast-Q questionnaire obtained in the pre- and post-operative periods in a group of women having undergone breast conserving surgery (BCS) without reconstructive surgery, which makes it impossible for us to have a broader discussion in this area
Summary
In the Polish population, breast cancer is the most common malignant cancer in women. Epidemiological data from 2016 indicate that in Poland there were 18,615 cases of breast cancer and the standardized incidence rate was 54.1/100,000 [1]. The most recent data published in 2019 by Globocan indicate that the global breast cancer incidence rate in 2018 was 46.3/100,000, with the highest in Australia and New. Zealand (94.2/100,000) and the lowest in South Central Asia (25.9/1,000,000) [2]. Breast conserving therapy (BCT) includes breast conserving surgery (BCS), which is followed by radiotherapy to eradicate the disease. BCS involving the removal of a tumor with adjacent healthy tissue and/or axillary lymph nodes, combined with radiotherapy, is associated with long-term results—in
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