Life In Breast Cancer Patients Research Articles

Correlation between Depression and Quality of Life in Breast Cancer Patients through a Cross-Sectional Analysis

Correlation between Depression and Quality of Life in Breast Cancer Patients through a Cross-Sectional Analysis

88 (PB-088) Poster - A multidisciplinary approach to the enhancement of quality of life of breast cancer patients in the South-west, Nigeria

88 (PB-088) Poster - A multidisciplinary approach to the enhancement of quality of life of breast cancer patients in the South-west, Nigeria

Mental Adjustment to Cancer and its Effect on the Quality of Life of Women with Breast Cancer

Introduction: Breast cancer has been recognized as the most common malignancy in women during the last 10-15 years. Quality of life is the result of several physical and psychosocial effects. The result of this study was conducted to investigate the strategies of mental adjustment to cancer and its impact on the quality of life of breast cancer patients.
 Methods: This descriptive-correlational study was conducted on 240 breast cancer patients using simple random sampling who were referred in Shahid Ramezanzadeh Radiotherapy Center, Yazd, Iran, from April to October 2021. Data collection tools were standard quality of life questionnaires (EORTC QLQ-C30) and Mini-Comparison of Mental Adaptation to Cancer (Mini-MAC). Data were analyzed using t-test, correlation and regression in SPSS version 16 software.
 Results: The mean age of patients was 44.77(±11.00) years. There was a significant and negative correlation between quality of life and Helplessness hopelessness (r= -.795, p<0.001) and anxious preoccupation (r= -.705, p<0.001). Quality of life was significantly and positively correlated with fighting spirit (r= .368, p<0.001) and cognitive avoidance (r= .364, p<0.001) and Fatefulness(r= .155, p<0.05). In general, cancer coping strategies explained 59% of the quality of life variation in breast cancer patients.
 Conclusion: In order to improve the quality of life of patients, it is necessary to teach them adaptive strategies to adjust with cancer, such as fighting spirit and cognitive avoidance.

Assessing the Impact of Organ Failure and Metastases on Quality of Life in Breast Cancer Patients: A Prospective Study Based on Utilizing EORTC QLQ-C30 and EORTC QLQ-BR45 Questionnaires in Romania.

Breast cancer (BC) significantly impacts the quality of life (QoL) of affected individuals. This study, conducted at Colțea Clinical Hospital, Bucharest, aimed to assess the impact of organ failures and metastases on QoL in breast cancer patients using EORTC QLQ-C30 and EORTC QLQ-BR45 questionnaires and the survival rate to understand the clinical journey and the quality of life status in breast cancer patients. From January 2019 to October 2022, a prospective, observational study surveyed 874 patients, revealing 201 fatalities, 66 refusals, and 607 eligible participants. Results indicated statistically significant differences in various QoL aspects for patients experiencing heart failure, including physical functioning, pain, insomnia, global health status, and overall summary score. Kidney failure exhibited significance in physical functioning for QLQ-C30 and body image, sexual functioning, and endocrine sexual symptoms for QLQ-BR45. Respiratory failure demonstrated significant differences across multiple QoL domains. Patients with bone metastases reported lower physical functioning (p = 0.006) and increased pain (p = 0.002). This study has revealed an overall 5-year life expectancy of 68.8%, with survival rates of 93.8% for Stage I, 86.3% for Stage II, and 77.2% for Stage III breast cancer. Metastatic cancer patients have shown a 35.6% survival rate over 45 months, with a median survival duration of 36 months. A significant limitation of our study was the administration of the questionnaire only once, preventing us from quantifying the impact of specific treatment types on quality of life. This study emphasizes the necessity of using standardized QoL assessments in clinical practice from the initial presentation to ongoing follow-up.

Association Between Dyadic Coping and Quality of Life in Breast Cancer Patients and Their Spouses: An Actor-partner Interdependence Mediation Model

PurposeThis study aims to examine the relationship between dyadic coping (DC), intimate relationship, and quality of life (QOL), and to explore the mediating role of intimate relationship in patients with breast cancer (BC) and their spouses from a dyadic perspective. MethodsA cross-sectional design was used in this present study, and 205 dyads of BC patients and their spouses who completed a sociodemographic and clinical questionnaire and self-reported measures assessing their DC, intimate relationship, and QOL were recruited. The actor-partner interdependence mediation model (APIMeM) was adopted for dyadic distinguished data analysis. The paired t-test, Pearson’s correlation coefficients, and the structural equation model were employed for data analysis by using SPSS 22.0 and Amos 24.0. ResultsThe current study revealed that, for BC patients and their spouses, intimate relationship mediates completely the actor effect of DC on QOL. That is to say, DC was positively related to intimate relationship and then improved QOL. It was interesting to find that, for both patients and their spouses, the intimate relationship could exert a partner-actor complete mediation effect between DC and QOL. ConclusionThe DC perceived by both BC patients and their spouses has significant actor effects on QOL by improving the level of an intimate relationship. Furthermore, intimate relationship has significant actor-actor and partner-actor complete mediation effects for both patients and their spouses. Given the vital role of patient-spouse dyads, nursing staff should take patients’ spouses into account when conducting related psychosocial interventions aiming to improve the QOL of BC patients and their spouses.

Glucocorticoid receptor: a harmonizer of cellular plasticity in breast cancer-directs the road towards therapy resistance, metastatic progression and recurrence.

Recent therapeutic advances have significantly uplifted the quality of life in breast cancer patients, yet several impediments block the road to disease-free survival. This involves unresponsiveness towards administered therapy, epithelial to mesenchymal transition, and metastatic progression with the eventual appearance of recurrent disease. Attainment of such characteristics is a huge adaptive challenge to which tumour cells respond by acquiring diverse phenotypically plastic states. Several signalling networks and mediators are involved in such a process. Glucocorticoid receptor being a mediator of stress response imparts prognostic significance in the context of breast carcinoma. Involvement of the glucocorticoid receptor in the signalling cascade of breast cancer phenotypic plasticity needs further elucidation. This review attempted to shed light on the inter-regulatory interactions of the glucocorticoid receptor with the mediators of the plasticity program in breast cancer; which may provide a hint for strategizing therapeutics against the glucocorticoid/glucocorticoid receptor axis so as to modulate phenotypic plasticity in breast carcinoma.

Impact of Rural-Urban Differences in Acceptance and Meaning of Life among Breast Cancer Patients in India

India is a land of unity in diversity and it is not only true about its sociocultural but also holds residential areas too. Rural and urban areas associated with different sociostructural characteristics may contribute variation in behavioural adaptation. We studied the impact of rural-urban differences on the acceptance level and meaning of life among breast cancer patients in India. The present analytical descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted under superspecialty hospital, West Bengal, India. We compared the acceptance capability and meaning in life in breast cancer patients from rural areas (N = 122) and urban areas (N = 99). Patient-reported data concerning selected psychological (acceptance ability and the meaning of life), sociodemographic, and biological factors were collected by using validated tools. To identify the impact of sociocultural variation, descriptive statistics were calculated as the mean ± standard deviation of the score of validated tools based on acceptance and meaning of life. Patients from urban areas perceived meaning of life significantly worse than rural individuals (33.1 ± 2.44 vs. 24.2 ± 1.02). Education ( p = < 0.01 ), family per capita income ( p = 0 < 0.01 ), and family structure ( p = 0.004 ) factors were evaluated for being predictors of acceptance levels, whereas the educational level ( p = < 0.01 ) has significantly interacted with the meaning of life among both areas’ patients. Disease acceptance levels were found to be significantly higher in urban area’s patients than rural ones (38.6 ± 1.9 vs. 32.7 ± 1.92). The current study demonstrates that the patients of rural background and low education are more likely than their respective counterparts to have a lower level of acceptance capability and meaning of life.

Coping Styles and Quality of Life in Breast Cancer Patients Undergoing Radiotherapy

Purpose: This study examined relationships between coping styles and quality of life (QoL) in oncology patients undergoing radiotherapy compared with healthy controls. Coping styles and QoL were assessed to elucidate connections and inform psychosocial care. Methods: 57 females participated, including 28 breast cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy and 29 healthy controls matched on demographics. Participants completed the COPE Inventory, which measures active, emotion-focused, and avoidant coping levels, and the SF-36, which assesses mental, physical, and overall QoL. Between-group differences were analyzed using the Mann–Whitney U test. Correlations between coping styles and QoL were examined with Spearman’s r. Results: Breast cancer patients showed a significantly lower QoL on all scales versus controls. In patients, active coping weakly correlated with physical QoL, while avoidance moderately to strongly correlated with poorer mental, physical, and overall QoL. In controls, active coping strongly correlated with mental and overall QoL, and avoidance moderately negatively correlated across domains. Conclusion: Maladaptive avoidance coping was strongly related to poorer QoL in both groups, especially patients. Active coping showed limited benefits for patients’ QoL, in contrast with the controls. Those with low scores require effective interventions during radiotherapy, which are crucial for coping with treatment adverse effects.

Psychological interventions during breast cancer rehabilitation: a randomized controlled trial comparing structured short-term psychotherapy versus non-specific group discussion

PurposePsycho-oncological treatment is recommended in cancer rehabilitation as it improves fatigue, anxiety, depression, and quality of life in breast cancer patients. The aim of our study was to compare a structured short-term psychotherapy and a non-specific group discussion provided during breast cancer rehabilitation.MethodsBreast cancer patients were randomly assigned to structured group short-term psychotherapy or a non-specific group discussion during breast cancer rehabilitation. The patients completed questionnaires at the beginning and end of rehabilitation and three months after rehabilitation. The primary outcome was anxiety. Secondary outcomes were depression, distress, fatigue and health-related quality of life domains.ResultsIn total, 160 patients (80 in both groups) were recruited and included in the analysis. There was no significant difference between both groups in the primary outcome anxiety at the end of rehabilitation (difference = -0.2; 95% CI -1.2 to 0.7) and three months after rehabilitation (difference = 0.2; 95% CI -0.9 to 1.3) and in any secondary outcome. Patients in the short-term psychotherapy group with high anxiety levels at baseline reported fewer depressive symptoms at the end of rehabilitation.ConclusionsOur study showed no difference between structured short-term psychotherapy and a non-specific group discussion. Patients with high baseline anxiety levels were more likely to benefit from short-term structured psychotherapy. Early identification of this subgroup and symptoms of mental illness should occur after initial treatment in breast cancer patients in order to offer a structured treatment for anxiety and depressive symptoms during rehabilitation.Trial registrationGerman Clinical Trials Register (DRKS00017571; 08/07/2019).

Breast Cancer and the Brain: A Comprehensive Review of Neurological Complications.

Breast cancer, one of the most prevalent malignancies globally, poses a substantial health burden with its diverse neurological complications. This comprehensive review examines the intricate landscape of breast cancer's neurological effects, encompassing brain metastases, non-metastatic complications, and their profound influence on the quality of life, prognosis, and survival of affected individuals. The mechanisms, clinical manifestations, and treatment modalities of brain metastasis and the critical role of interdisciplinary collaboration in their management are explored. Additionally, we address non-metastatic neurological complications, including paraneoplastic syndromes, treatment-related side effects, leptomeningeal carcinomatosis, and radiation-induced neurotoxicity, shedding light on the challenges they present and the importance of cognitive and emotional well-being. Prognostic factors and survival rates are discussed, emphasizing the complexity of variables impacting patient outcomes. Lastly, we underscore the vital role of collaborative care in addressing these multifaceted challenges, highlighting future research directions and the ongoing quest to enhance the quality of life for breast cancer patients.

Assessment of the Impact of Yoga on the Quality of Life of Breast Cancer Patients: A Systematic Literature Review.

Patients with breast cancer (BC) typically undergo multimodal treatment over an extended period and deal with a wide range of symptoms that severely impair their overall quality of life (QoL) and prognosis. Concern about the health-related QoL of persons diagnosed with cancer as well as the calibre of care they receive is increasing every day. This study aims to assess the impact of yoga on the QoL of patients with BC. PRISMA guidelines served as the foundation for the methodologies used to identify the studies. A total of 480 records were found using PubMed/Medline and Google Scholar databases. A final set of 22 studies was assessed for the work based on the exclusion and inclusion criteria and study eligibility. Yoga has a moderate effect on BC patients. Pranayama has been shown to have a positive effect on improving the QoL. The study observed that yoga was more useful during actual treatment for cancer than after completion. The various randomised controlled trials (RCT) and meta-analysis included in this study believe that yoga has a positive effect. However, the outcomes of various studies do not support this point completely. According to the safety information that is currently available, yoga is not associated with severe adverse outcomes. There is no concrete evidence that establishes the role of yoga as one of the alternative medicines in treating BC patients after chemotherapy. More clinical trials are needed to investigate the advantages of yoga in the overall improvement of QoL in BC patients.

Machine learning applied in patient-reported outcome research-exploring symptoms in adjuvant treatment of breast cancer.

Patient-reported outcome (PRO) data may help us better understand the life of breast cancer patients. We have previously collected PRO data in a national Danish breast cancer study in patients undergoing adjuvant chemotherapy. The aim of the present post-hoc explorative study is to apply Machine Learning (ML) algorithms using permutation importance to explore how specific PRO symptoms influence nonadherence to six cycles of planned adjuvant chemotherapy in breast cancer patients. We here investigate ePRO-data from the 347 patients. The ePRO presented 42 PROCTCAE questions on 25 symptoms. Patients completed the ePRO before each cycle of chemotherapy. Number of patients with completion of the scheduled six cycles of chemotherapy were registered. Two ML models were applied. One aimed at discovering the individual relative importance of the different questions in the dataset while the second aimed at discovering the relationships between the questions. Permutation importance was used. Out of 347 patients 238 patients remained in the final dataset, 15 patients dropped out. Two symptoms: aching joints and numbness/tingling, were the most important for dropout in the final dataset, each with an importance value of about 0.04. Model's average ROC-AUC-score being 0.706. In the second model a low performance score made the results very unreliable. In conclusion, this explorative data analysis using ML methodologies in an ePRO dataset from a population of women with breast cancer treated with adjuvant chemotherapy unravels that the symptoms aching joints and numbness/tingling could be important for drop out of planned adjuvant chemotherapy.

Comparison of the Efficacy of Different Doses of Intensity-modulated Radiation Therapy After Breast-conserving Surgery for Early-stage Breast Cancer

Objective — To investigate the efficacy of different doses of intensity modulated radiation therapy in patients with early breast cancer after breast conserving surgery in order to provide more accurate treatment guidelines for clinical practice to further improve treatment outcomes and quality of life in breast cancer patients. Methods — The main objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of different radiotherapy regimens after breast conserving surgery for early stage breast cancer. The study included 96 patients with early-stage breast cancer who were treated in our oncology department between January 2020 and May 2021. Patients were self-divided into group A and Group B by double-blind method, with 48 patients in each group. Group A received radiation therapy of 50Gy/25Fx for the whole breast after surgery, and an additional dose of 60Gy/25Fx was added to irradiate the tumor bed. Group B received whole breast radiation therapy of 50Gy/25Fx and tumor bed push of 10Gy/5Fx at the same time. The study will compare the differences between the two groups in treatment outcomes, three-year survival, and various adverse events that occur within six months of radiotherapy. Results — When comparing the two groups with different doses of IMRT, the authors focused on the difference in the percentage of the combined volume of prescription dose exposure above the percentage measurement line and the target dose uniformity index. The results showed very significant statistical differences between the two groups for both measures. In addition, it is worth noting that the probability of adverse reactions in group B patients exceeded that in group A, with a statistically significant difference. Conclusion — For patients undergoing breast conserving surgery for early stage breast cancer, receiving radiation therapy with a total dose of 60Gy can significantly improve treatment outcomes. Compared with other dosing regimens, the use of 60Gy intensity modulated radiation therapy can significantly reduce the incidence of adverse reactions while achieving the same therapeutic effect.

The Effects of Personalized Nutrition Intervention In Breast Cancer Patients: A Systematic Review

Breast cancer is a common cancer in women worldwide. Personalized nutrition interventions have gained attention as a promising approach in the treatment of breast cancer. This systematic review aimed to evaluate their effectiveness. A comprehensive search of ScienceDirect and PubMed databases was conducted from 2018 to 2023 using the keyword "Personalized nutrition interventions for breast cancer." Six studies met the inclusion criteria. Results showed that dietary interventions led to improvements in body weight, metabolic parameters, and quality of life in breast cancer patients. The Mediterranean diet was associated with significant improvements in body weight, BMI, waist circumference, glycemia, and triglyceride levels, as well as a greater reduction in metabolic syndrome markers. The ketogenic diet resulted in significant weight loss due to fat mass reduction, while personalized and balanced diet interventions reduced the frequency of leukopenia and abdominal pain. A triple intervention program involving nutrition, exercise, and mindfulness positively impacted the quality of life in breast cancer survivors. Individualized diet therapy based on nutritional needs also significantly reduced barriers and improved nutritional status and quality of life in breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. This review employed a systematic approach, including a comprehensive literature search, clear inclusion criteria, and thorough study quality assessment. In conclusion, personalized nutrition interventions can be effective for improving outcomes in breast cancer patients.

The Effectiveness of an Upper Limb Rehabilitation Program on Quality of Life in Breast Cancer Patients after Mastectomy: A Randomized Controlled Trial

ObjectiveThis study aims to investigate the effectiveness of an upper limb rehabilitation program on the quality of life in patients who had been first diagnosed breast cancer and subsequently underwent mastectomy. Data SourcesThis randomized controlled trial enrolled 48 breast cancer patients who underwent mastectomy at a medical center in Taiwan. The patients were randomly assigned to either the intervention group (n = 24) or control group (n = 24). The patients in the intervention group participated in a 12-week upper limb rehabilitation program involving face-to-face upper limb rehabilitation education and once-a month monitoring of their upper extremity activity. The control group received standard nursing care. Quality of life was assessed through EORTC QLQ-C30 and QLQ-BR 23 questionnaires at baseline and weeks 4, 8, and 12 after enrollment. ResultsBoth the intervention and control groups had significantly improved their levels of functioning, symptoms, and quality of life from baseline to week 12 after enrollment. The intervention group showed greater improvements in functioning and symptom levels after the intervention compared to the control group; however, no statistically significant differences were found. Additionally, the levels of global health status/quality of life in both groups gradually increased from baseline to week 12 ConclusionAn upper limb rehabilitation program is effective in improving the functioning and symptoms of breast cancer patients who have undergone mastectomy. Implications for Nursing PracticePatients are encouraged to undergo upper limb rehabilitation in order to improve their functioning, symptoms and quality of life.

349P The influence of diabetes on taxane-induced neurotoxicity and quality of life in breast cancer patients

349P The influence of diabetes on taxane-induced neurotoxicity and quality of life in breast cancer patients

Empowerment-Based Palliative Care to Improve Psychological Well Being and Quality of Life in Women with Breast Cancer

Patients with breast cancer at the terminal stage often experience a decrease in quality of life and problems in psychological well-being. Management of patients with terminal illnesses requires end-of-life care, which is comprehensive care for chronic diseases that are nearing death, which involves multidisciplinary collaboration of health workers with the main focus of care being a peaceful death. The aim of this research is to develop empowerment-based palliative care to improve psychological wellbeing and quality of life of breast cancer patients. Explanatory research with a cross sectional approach to develop a model. The sample of this study were 125 breast cancer patients. The variables in this study consisted of self- management, delivery systems, decision support, clinical information, community resources, palliative care, empowerment, quality of life and spiritual wellbeing which were measured using a modified questionnaire whose validity and reliability were measured. The data were then analyzed using Smart PLS and used in formulating strategic issues for focus group discussions and expert consultations. The output of this study was an empowerment-based palliative care module on the quality of life and psychological well-being of breast cancer patients as well as scientific publications in the Scopus International journal, a module that already prepared will be arranged in the ISBN and Intellectual Property Rights

A Phase II Randomized Clinical Trial to Assess Toxicity and Quality of Life of Breast Cancer Patients with Hypofractionated vs. Conventional Fractionation Radiotherapy with Regional Nodal Irradiation

To compare acute toxicity between conventional fractionated radiation therapy (CFRT) and hypofractionated radiation therapy (HFRT) for patients undergoing breast-conserving surgery or mastectomy with breast or chest wall and regional nodal irradiation (RNI). The secondary endpoints were acute and subacute toxicity, cosmesis, quality of life, and lymphedema features. Unblinded randomized trial with a total of 86 patients treated with CFRT (n = 33; 50 Gy/25 fractions ± sequential boost [10 Gy/5 fractions]) versus HFRT (n = 53; 40 Gy/15 fractions ± concomitant boost [8 Gy/15 fractions]). Women included for enrollment were 18 years or older and diagnosed with breast carcinoma, staging T1-4, with at least one positive lymph node (American Joint Committee on Cancer - AJCC 8th). The surgery performed was mastectomy or breast-conservative surgery with the investigation of sentinel lymph node or axillary dissection. Toxic effects and cosmesis evaluation used the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 4.03 (CTCAE) and the Harvard/NSABP/RTOG scale. Patients-reported QoL was determined using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer quality of life questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30) and the breast cancer-specific supplementary questionnaire (QLQ-BR23). The comparative analysis of categorical variables between the control and experimental groups used the Chi-square test and Fisher's exact test, while numerical variables basing on the Mann-Whitney U test. The intergroup comparison of the EORTC QLQ-C30 used the Generalized Equations Estimating method. All analyses used 2-sided α = 0.05 with R software version 4.1.2. Lymphedema determination compared volume differences between the affected and contralateral arms using the Casley-Smith volume formula. Grade 2 and grade 3 skin rash dermatitis were lower with HFRT than with CF-RT (28% vs. 52%, 0% vs. 6%; p = 0.022, respectively). HFRT vs. CFRT had lower rate of grade 2 hyperpigmentation (23% vs. 55%; p = 0.005). Overall rates of any physician-assessed grade ≥ 2 and grade ≥ 3 acute toxicities were no different between HFRT vs. CFRT arms. There was no statistical difference between the CFRT and the HFRT regarding cosmesis, lymphedema rate (13% vs. 12% HFRT vs. CFRT; p = 1.000, respectively), and functional and symptom scales during irradiation and after six months of treatment. HF-RT showed lower rates of acute toxicity, with no changes in quality-of-life outcomes.

Factors Affecting the Quality of Life of Breast Cancer Patients

Background: Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer and the leading cause of cancer death among women worldwide in 2020. This systematic review aims to identify the factors that affect the quality of life of breast cancer patients so that the results of this systematic ventilation can help health professionals develop appropriate interventions. Method: This systematic review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. This study aims to identify the factors that affect the quality of life of breast cancer patients. A comprehensive search was performed across several databases, including PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science. The search was limited to studies published between 2019 and 2022, which were written in English. Results: Factors that affect the quality of life of breast cancer patients include age, education level, social support, psychological stress and anxiety, economic status, depression, and physical symptoms. Conclusion: Several factors can affect the quality of breast cancer patients, so the patient needs support from the family and health policies from the government in their treatment.

The effect of surgery and hormone therapy on quality of life in breast cancer patients receiving radiotherapy.

The aim of this study was to examine the effect of surgery type and hormone therapy on the general quality of life in breast cancer patients receiving radiotherapy. A total of 109 patients were included in the study. As data collection tools in the research, a form stating the demographic and clinical features was used in the first part, and in the second part, "EORTC QLQ-C30" developed by the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer and "EORTC QLQ-BR23" Turkish quality of life forms specific to breast cancer were used. The patients were asked to fill in the questionnaire forms on the first day, the last day of radiotherapy and three months after the end of the treatment. Mean age of this study was 54.8 ± 12.1 years. In the questionnaires made on the first day, last day and three months after radiotherapy, the highest score according to the EORTC QLQ-C30 scale was in social and cognitive function, and in sexual life on the EORTC QLQ-BR23 scale. According to multiple comparison test and comparing the first day of radiotherapy and three months after radiotherapy, there was a significant difference in patients' physical function average (p= 0.049), future expectation (p= 0.033), sexual life (p= 0.029), sexual satisfaction (p <0.001), and hair loss (p= 0.011), and arm related problems (p <0.001). According to the analysis of variance in repeated measurements, physical function, sexual life, side effects, hair loss, dyspnea, and future expectation were statistically significant according to the type of surgery, and for hormone therapy, sexual life, hair loss, constipation and financial difficulty were found statistically significant. It was observed that other than radiotherapy, hormone therapy and surgical techniques were also effective on the quality of life in patients receiving radiotherapy for breast cancer.