Breast cancer-related lymphedema and quality of life: A qualitative analysis over years of survivorship

2019 ◽  
pp. 174239531987279
Author(s):  
Allison B Anbari ◽  
Ausanee Wanchai ◽  
Jane M Armer
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Breast Cancer Diagnosis ◽  
Data Saturation ◽  
Breast Cancer Related Lymphedema ◽  
Reported Data ◽  
The Impact

Objectives The study purpose was to examine perspectives of women with newly diagnosed breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) regarding their quality of life over seven years. Method Data were collected over seven years using the Lymphedema and Breast Cancer Questionnaire (LBCQ). Participants with BCRL answered open-ended questions corresponding to changes in mood and lifestyle from post-op through annual interviews and surveys. Self-reported data from 97 participants with BCRL were analyzed using in vivo coding and template-style content analysis to elicit the impact of BCRL on quality of life domains. Results Data saturation was achieved as participants neared 30 to 36 months post- breast cancer diagnosis. Three major themes were identified related to BCRL’s impact on: physical function; daily living and social function; and psychological function. Discussion Findings suggest that BCRL impacts quality of life not only soon after diagnosis, but also throughout survivorship years. Healthcare providers should develop programs to enhance quality of life for survivors with BCRL.

Divorce after breast cancer diagnosis and its impact on quality of life

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Danbee Kang ◽  
Nayeon Kim ◽  
Gayeon Han ◽  
Sooyeon Kim ◽  
Hoyoung Kim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Cancer Survivors ◽  
Cancer Diagnosis ◽  
Breast Cancer Survivors ◽  
Breast Cancer Diagnosis ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
After Cancer ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Objective This study aims to identify factors associated with divorce following breast cancer diagnosis and measures the impact of divorce on the quality of life (QoL) of patients. Methods We used cross-sectional survey data collected at breast cancer outpatient clinics in South Korea from November 2018 to April 2019. Adult breast cancer survivors who completed active treatment without any cancer recurrence at the time of the survey (N = 4,366) were included. The participants were classified into two groups: “maintaining marriage” and “being divorced,” between at the survey and at the cancer diagnosis. We performed logistic regression and linear regression to identify the factors associated with divorce after cancer diagnosis and to compare the QoL of divorced and nondivorced survivors. Results Approximately 11.1/1,000 of married breast cancer survivors experienced divorce after cancer diagnosis. Younger age, lower education, and being employed at diagnosis were associated with divorce. Being divorced survivors had significantly lower QoL (Coefficient [Coef] = −7.50; 95% CI = −13.63, −1.36), social functioning (Coef = −9.47; 95% CI = −16.36, −2.57), and body image (Coef = −8.34; 95% CI = −6.29, −0.39) than survivors who remained married. They also experienced more symptoms including pain, insomnia, financial difficulties, and distress due to hair loss. Conclusion Identifying risk factors of divorce will ultimately help ascertain the resources necessary for early intervention.

The impact of a second breast cancer diagnosis on health related quality of life

2005 ◽  
Vol 92 (1) ◽  
pp. 25-33 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea A. Thornton ◽  
Lisa Madlensky ◽  
Shirley W. Flatt ◽  
Robert M. Kaplan ◽  
John P. Pierce ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Cancer Diagnosis ◽  
Breast Cancer Diagnosis ◽  
Health Related Quality ◽  
Related Quality ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Second Breast Cancer ◽  
The Impact

The Rorschach Ink-Blot Test as an Instrument for Evaluating Quality of Life in Breast-Cancer Victims

2005 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 119-138
Author(s):  
G. Marchioro ◽  
F. Barbato ◽  
G. Azzarello ◽  
O. Vinante
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Breast Cancer Diagnosis ◽  
Adjustment Disorder ◽  
Rorschach Test ◽  
Breast Cancer Patients ◽  
The Impact

Background. The psychological discomfort associated to breast-cancer diagnosis and related treatments is universally recognized. However homogeneous modalities of intervention are lacking. The questionnaires are the most employed tools to analyze pre-morbidity personality traits and the quality of life of cancer patients, but they lack valid indicators of the patients' overall quality of life. On the other hand, counseling along with administered psychological tests allows listening and mutual relationship between patient and examiner. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of the Rorschach test, a multidimensional method of collecting data on personality functioning, as an instrument to assess mood disorders, object relation, self-image and quality of life in breast cancer patients. Methods. 135 consecutive women affected by operable breast cancer underwent psychological counseling and the Rorschach test within 2–4 weeks after surgery. Results of the test were interpreted according to the structural and experiential approaches. The discrimination between “compact” and “noncompact” tables makes it possible to study the changes of patients identity during the illness, while the Experienced Stimulation and Experience Actual indices, providing information about the patient's coping to therapeutic approach, were calculated according to the Exner system. The records from a sample of 60 healthy women, equally distributed in three age groups (< 50, 50–59, > 60) coming from the same Italian region (regional sample) and the results from 736 nonpatient Italian subjects (national sample) were used as controls. Results. Quantitative results were comparable within groups, except for parameters of cognitive characteristics regulating the approach to reality (G, G+, F+, Anat, Ban). No patient fulfilled the parameter configuration corresponding to depressive disorder, but alexithymia with a state reaction interpreted as an adjustment disorder with depressive mood was recorded. This trait was correlated with lower educational levels and increasing age.

scholarly journals The impact of chronic comorbidities at the time of breast cancer diagnosis on quality of life, and emotional health following treatment in Canada

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (8) ◽  
pp. e0256536
Author(s):  
Jasleen Arneja ◽  
Jennifer D. Brooks
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Cancer Survivors ◽  
Cancer Diagnosis ◽  
Chronic Condition ◽  
Breast Cancer Survivors ◽  
Emotional Health ◽  
Breast Cancer Diagnosis ◽  
The Impact

Introduction Advances in breast cancer screening and treatment have led to an increasing number of breast cancer survivors. The objective of this study was to determine the impact of comorbidities on self-reported quality of life (QOL) and emotional health following a breast cancer diagnosis and treatment. Methods Women with a personal history of breast cancer (N = 3,372) were identified from the cross-sectional Canadian Partnership Against Cancer (CPAC) Experiences of Cancer Patients in Transitions Survey. Multinomial (nominal) logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for the relationship between burden of comorbidities and overall QOL and emotional health (very poor/poor, fair, good, very good). Results Of the 3,372 participants, 57% reported at least one chronic condition at the time of breast cancer diagnosis. As the number of chronic conditions at diagnosis increased, the odds of reporting worse quality of life and emotional health following treatment also increased. Specifically, compared to women reporting very good QOL, for each additional chronic condition, women reported significantly higher odds of reporting good (OR = 1.22, 95% CI: 1.12, 1.32), fair (OR = 1.76, 95% CI: 1.58, 1.96), or poor/very poor (OR = 2.31, 95% CI: 1.86, 2.88) QOL. Similarly, for each additional comorbidity, women reported significantly higher odds of reporting good (OR = 1.17, 95% CI: 1.07, 1.28), fair (OR = 1.63, 95% CI: 1.46, 1.82), or poor/very poor (OR = 2.17, 95% CI: 1.81, 2.60) emotional health, relative to very good emotional health. Conclusion Breast cancer survivors coping with a high comorbidity burden experience worse overall QOL and emotional health following treatment. This highlights the importance of integrating information on comorbidities into survivorship care to improve the experience and overall outcomes of patients with complex needs.

Quality of Life Among Younger Women With Breast Cancer

2005 ◽  
Vol 23 (15) ◽  
pp. 3322-3330 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nancy E. Avis ◽  
Sybil Crawford ◽  
Janeen Manuel
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Body Image ◽  
Coping Strategies ◽  
Cancer Diagnosis ◽  
Breast Cancer Diagnosis ◽  
Younger Women ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Image Problems

Purpose To describe quality of life (QOL) of younger women 4 to 42 months after breast cancer diagnosis and to identify factors associated with impaired QOL. Methods A total of 202 women diagnosed with stage I to III breast cancer at age 50 or younger from 4 to 42 months after breast cancer diagnosis previously completed a mailed survey. Global QOL; health-related QOL as measured by the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy–Breast Cancer (FACT-B); medical history; symptoms; days of work/activity missed after diagnosis; relationship, sexual, and body image problems; coping strategies; and feelings of preparedness were measured. Results General aches and pains and unhappiness with appearance were reported by more than 70% of women. Hot flashes (P = .0007), pain with sexual intercourse (P = .02), and difficulty with bladder control (P = .002) all significantly increased with age. Global QOL was significantly lower than for a nonpatient sample of younger women (P < .0001). In general, few sociodemographic and medical factors were related to QOL. In multivariate analyses, days of work/usual activity missed immediately after diagnosis; relationship, sexual, or body image problems after diagnosis; and coping strategies were related to almost all QOL domains. Ongoing treatment, vaginal dryness, and feeling unprepared for the impact of breast cancer were related to some domains. Conclusion Younger breast cancer survivors are at risk for impaired QOL up to several years after diagnosis. Younger women, especially those at high risk for lower QOL, may need interventions that specifically target their needs related to menopausal symptoms and problems with relationships, sexual functioning, and body image. Preparing younger woman for the impact of breast cancer may also prove beneficial.

scholarly journals The impact of lymphedema on health-related quality of life up to 10 years after breast cancer treatment

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mads G. Jørgensen ◽  
Navid M. Toyserkani ◽  
Frederik G. Hansen ◽  
Anette Bygum ◽  
Jens A. Sørensen
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Cancer Treatment ◽  
Breast Cancer Treatment ◽  
Health Related Quality ◽  
Related Quality ◽  
Health Related ◽  
The Impact

AbstractThe impact of breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) on long-term quality of life is unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of BCRL on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) up to 10 years after breast cancer treatment. This regional population-based study enrolled patients treated for breast cancer with axillary lymph node dissection between January 1st 2007 and December 31th 2017. Follow up and assessments of the included patients were conducted between January 2019 and May 2020. The study outcome was HRQoL, evaluated with the Lymphedema Functioning, Disability and Health Questionnaire, the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand Questionnaire and the Short Form (36) Health Survey Questionnaire. Multivariate linear logistic regression models adjusted for confounders provided mean score differences (MDs) with 95% confidence intervals in each HRQoL scale and item. This study enrolled 244 patients with BCRL and 823 patients without BCRL. Patients with BCRL had significantly poorer HRQoL than patients without BCRL in 16 out of 18 HRQoL subscales, for example, in physical function (MDs 27, 95%CI: 24; 30), mental health (MDs 24, 95%CI: 21; 27) and social role functioning (MDs 20, 95%CI: 17; 23). Age, BMI, BCRL severity, hand and dominant arm affection had only minor impact on HRQoL (MDs < 5), suggesting a high degree of inter-individual variation in coping with lymphedema. This study showed that BCRL is associated with long-term impairments in HRQoL, especially affecting the physical and psychosocial domains. Surprisingly, BCRL diagnosis rather than clinical severity drove the largest impairments in HRQoL.

scholarly journals The impact of coronavirus disease 2019 on the quality of life and treatment disruption of patients with breast cancer in a multiethnic cohort

Cancer ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fangyuan Zhao ◽  
Tara O. Henderson ◽  
Toni M. Cipriano ◽  
Brenda L. Copley ◽  
Michelle Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Multiethnic Cohort ◽  
The Impact
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