Pain characteristics and quality of life of breast cancer survivors that return and do not return to work: an exploratory cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer treatments lead to several comorbidities in the upper limbs, such as pain and stiffness, hindering physical functions and the return to work. OBJECTIVE: To explore the functionality and factors associated with work behaviour among manual and non-manual Brazilian workers who have recovered from breast cancer. METHODS: This is an observational cross-sectional study involving Brazilian breast cancer survivors. The sociodemographic, work, and clinical aspects were assessed through clinical records, upper limb disability, and human functionality obtained from 62 women. Multiple and univariate logistic regressions were used to identify the association of variables on return to work, p < 0.05. RESULTS: 56.5% of women did not return to work, the mean time for returning to work was 16 months (±15.21), absenteeism from work lasted 41 months (±34.58). Modified radical mastectomy (OR = 5.13, 95% CI = 1.35 to 18.66) and moderate-to-severe disability levels in the upper limbs (OR = 6.77, 95% CI = 1.86 to 24.92) were associated with not returning to work. The loss of productivity was higher among non-manual workers (21.5%) (p = 0.040). CONCLUSIONS: The rates of not returning to work after breast cancer treatment are high. Women who did not return to work presented higher levels of disability.

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Power, Uncertainty, Self-Transcendence, and Quality of Life in Breast Cancer Survivors

Nursing Science Quarterly ◽

10.1177/0894318409353793 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 23 (1) ◽

pp. 63-71 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Arlene T. Farren

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Quality Of Life ◽

Cancer Survivors ◽

Breast Cancer Survivors ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Field Pattern ◽

Human Beings ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Self Transcendence

The purpose of the study was to examine the relations among power, uncertainty, self-transcendence, and quality of life in breast cancer survivors from the perspective of Rogers’ science of unitary human beings. A correlational, cross-sectional study with purposive sampling ( n = 104) was conducted. The results included statistically significant correlations, explained variance, and mediating relations among the pattern manifestations. The researcher concluded that there are complex and synergistic relations among the cluster of field pattern manifestations that contribute to quality of life in breast cancer survivors. Implications for theory, research, and practice are discussed.

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Unmet Needs and Quality of Life of Caregivers of Korean Breast Cancer Survivors: A Cross-Sectional Study

10.21203/rs.3.rs-33805/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Jong Won Lee ◽

Jihyoun Lee ◽

Min Hyuk Lee ◽

Se Kyung Lee ◽

Wan Sung Kim ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Quality Of Life ◽

Regression Analysis ◽

Cancer Survivors ◽

Multiple Regression Analysis ◽

Multiple Regression ◽

Breast Cancer Survivors ◽

Unmet Needs ◽

Cross Sectional

Abstract Backgroud: As the survival rates of cancer patients have been increasing due to early diagnosis and technological advances in treatment, their caregiver burden has also emerged as an important issue. In view of this situation, this study aims to investigate the unmet needs and quality of life of caregivers of Korean breast cancer survivors.Methods: A multicenter cross-sectional interview survey was performed among 160 caregivers of Korean breast cancer survivors. Caregivers who gave written informed consent to participate completed the Comprehensive Needs Assessment Tool for Cancer Caregivers and EuroQol-5 Dimensions. Data were analyzed using the t-test, ANOVA and multiple regression analysis.Results: The mean age of the caregivers was 46.4 years, 44.4% (71/160) were spouses of patients, and 52.5% (84/160) were personally taking care of cancer survivors. Unmet needs were highest in the ‘healthcare staff’ domain (mean ± SD: 1.69 ±1.11), and the item with the highest level of unmet needs was ‘needed information about the current status of the patient’s illness and its future courses’ (1.98 ± 1.04). Unmet needs were correlated with age, educational level, marital status, employment, religion and psychosocial status. Poorer quality of life was closely related to higher levels of unmet needs. In multiple regression analysis, age, employment, religion, and levels of stress and despair were closely associated with unmet needs.

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