Post Mastectomy Quality of Life in Breast Cancer Patients

Background: Quality of life in patients with breast cancer is an important outcome. This paper presents an overview and outcome after surgery in breast cancer patients on the topic ranging from descriptive findings to clinical trials. Methods: This is a bibliographic review of the literature covering publications that appeared in English language in biomedical journals between 1992 and 2013. The search strategy included a combination of key words 'quality of life' and 'breast cancer', 'breast carcinoma' or post mastectomy in Titles. Of these, research articles like randomized controlled trials, reviews, abstracts, editorials, brief commentaries, letters were included. The major findings are summarized and presented under several headings: instruments used, validation studies, measurement issues, surgical treatment, quality of life as predictor of survival, psychological distress, supportive care, symptoms and sexual functioning. Results: Instruments-Several valid instruments were used to measure quality of life in breast cancer patients. The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Core Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30) and its breast cancer specific complementary measure (EORTC QLQ-BR23) were listed in this study, as it is a common, highly standard and well developed instruments to measure quality of life in breast cancer patients. Different surgical procedures led to relatively similar results in terms of quality of life assessments, although mastectomy patients compared to conserving surgery patients usually reported a lower body image and sexual functioning. Systemic therapies-almost all studies indicated that breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy might experience several side-effects and symptoms that negatively affect their quality of life. Adjuvant hormonal therapies also were found to have similar negative impact on quality of life, although in general they were associated with improved survival. Quality of life as predictor of survival-similar to known medical factors, quality of life data in metastatic breast cancer patients were found to be prognostic and predictive of survival time. Psychological distress-anxiety and depression were found to be common among breast cancer patients even years after the disease diagnosis and treatment. Psychological factors also were found to predict subsequent quality of life or even overall survival in breast cancer patients. As recommended, recognition and management of these symptoms is an important issue since such symptoms impair health-related quality of life. Sexual functioning-breast cancer patients especially younger patients suffer from poor sexual functioning that negatively affect quality of life. Conclusion: There was quite an extensive body of the literature on quality of life in breast cancer patients. These papers have made a considerable contribution to improving breast cancer care, although their exact benefit was hard to define. However, quality of life data provided scientific evidence for clinical decision-making and conveyed helpful information concerning breast cancer patients' experiences during the course of the disease diagnosis, treatment, disease-free survival time, and recurrences. Journal of Surgical Sciences (2013) Vol. 17 (1) : 35-44

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An international update of the EORTC questionnaire for assessing quality of life in breast cancer patients (EORTC QLQ-BC23) - EORTC QLQ-BR45

Annals of Oncology ◽

10.1093/annonc/mdy270.267 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 29 ◽

pp. viii59-viii60 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

V. Bjelic-Radisic ◽

A. Bottomley ◽

F. Cardoso ◽

D. Cameron ◽

E. Brain ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Quality Of Life ◽

Cancer Patients ◽

Breast Cancer Patients ◽

Eortc Qlq

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Validation of EORTC QLQ-C30 and QLQ-BR23 questionnaires in the measurement of quality of life of breast cancer patients in Singapore

Asia-Pacific Journal of Oncology Nursing ◽

10.4103/2347-5625.135817 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 1 (1) ◽

pp. 22 ◽

Cited By ~ 25

Author(s):

TanMay Leng ◽

SeowGek Ching ◽

DahlianaBinte Idris ◽

TeoLee Wah ◽

LohSoon Yue ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Quality Of Life ◽

Cancer Patients ◽

Breast Cancer Patients ◽

Eortc Qlq C30 ◽

Eortc Qlq

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Health-related quality of life and its predictors among patients with breast cancer at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes ◽

10.1186/s12955-019-1239-1 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 17 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Selamawit Gebrehiwot Sibhat ◽

Teferi Gedif Fenta ◽

Beate Sander ◽

Gebremedhin Beedemariam Gebretekle

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Quality Of Life ◽

Cancer Patients ◽

Addis Ababa ◽

Breast Cancer Patients ◽

Specialized Hospital ◽

Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital ◽

The Mean ◽

Eortc Qlq

Abstract Background Breast cancer is the second most prevalent malignancy in Ethiopia and severely affects patients’ health-related quality of life (HRQOL). We aimed to assess HRQoL, factors influencing HRQoL, and utilities among breast cancer patients at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Methods A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital from December 2017 to February, 2018. A total of 404 breast cancer patients were interviewed using the validated Amharic version of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer module (EORTC QLQ-C30), EORTC QLQ-BR23, and Euro Quality of Life Group’s 5-Domain Questionnaires 5 Levels (EQ-5D-5 L) instruments. Mean scores and mean differences of EORTC- QLQ-C30 and EORTC- QLQ-BR23 were calculated. One-way ANOVA test was employed to determine the significance of mean differences among dependent and independent variables while stepwise multivariate logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with the global quality of life (GQOL). Coefficients and level specific utility values obtained from a hybrid regression model for the Ethiopian population were used to compute utility values of each health state. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 23. Results The mean age of patients was 43.94 ± 11.72 years. The mean score for GQoL and visual analog scale was 59.32 ± 22.94 and 69.94 ± 20.36, respectively while the mean utility score was 0.8 ± 0.25. Predictors of GQoL were stage of cancer (AOR = 7.94; 95% CI: 1.83–34.54), cognitive functioning (AOR = 2.38; 95% CI: 1.32–4.31), pain (AOR = 7.99; 95% CI: 4.62–13.83), financial difficulties (AOR = 2.60; 95% CI: 1.56–4.35), and future perspective (AOR = 2.08; 95% CI: 1.24–3.49). Conclusions The overall GQoL of breast cancer patients was moderate. Targeted approaches to improve patients’ HRQoL should consider stage of cancer, cognitive functioning, pain, financial status and worries about the patient’s future health. This study also provides estimates of EQ-5D utility scores that can be used in economic evaluations.

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Corrigendum to An international update of the EORTC questionnaire for assessing quality of life in breast cancer patients: EORTC QLQ-BR45

Annals of Oncology ◽

10.1016/j.annonc.2020.02.001 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 31 (4) ◽

pp. 552

Author(s):

V. Bjelic-Radisic ◽

F. Cardoso ◽

D. Cameron ◽

E. Brain ◽

K. Kuljanic ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Quality Of Life ◽

Cancer Patients ◽

Breast Cancer Patients ◽

Eortc Qlq

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Reliability and validity of Amharic version of EORTC QLQ-C30 and QLQ-BR23 modules for assessing health-related quality of life among breast cancer patients in Ethiopia

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes ◽

10.1186/s12955-019-1257-z ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 17 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Diriba Alemayehu Gadisa ◽

Esayas Tadesse Gebremariam ◽

Getnet Yimer Ali

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Quality Of Life ◽

Cancer Patients ◽

Health Related Quality ◽

Breast Cancer Patients ◽

Related Quality ◽

Eortc Qlq C30 ◽

Health Related ◽

Eortc Qlq

Abstract Background Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women and it affects quality of life of those women. So far, the two most frequently used tools for assessing health related quality of life in breast cancer patients, EORTC QLQ-C30 and EORTC QLQ-BR23 modules, were not validated in Ethiopia. Hence, the present study aimed to assess the psychometric properties of the tools among Ethiopian breast cancer patients. Methods Institutional based longitudinal study was conducted from January 1 to May 1, 2017 GC at only nationwide oncology center, Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital (TASH), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. A total of 146 patients who visited the facility during that period, with no missing quality of life data, were selected for analysis. The psychometric properties of the EORTC QLQ-C30 and EORTC QLQ-BR23 were evaluated in terms of reliability, convergent, divergent, construct and clinical validity using SPSS version 22. Results Satisfactory internal consistency reliability (Cronbach’s α coefficients > 0.7) was confirmed, except for cognitive function (α = 0.516) of EORTC QLQ-C30 and body image (α = 0.510) of EORTC QLQ-BR23. Multiple-trait scaling analysis demonstrated a good convergent and divergent validity. No scaling errors were observed. Most items in EORTC QLQ-BR23 possessed a weak or no correlation with its own dimension in EORTC QLQ-C30 (r < 0.4) except with some of symptom scales. A statistically significant chemotherapy induced quality of life scores changes (P ≤ 0.05) were observed in all dimensions of both instruments between baseline and the end of first cycle chemotherapy, except for body image (P = 0.985) and sexual enjoyment (P = 0.817) of EORTC QLQ-BR23, indicating clinical validity. Conclusion Amharic version of the EORTC QLQ-C30 and EORTC QLQ-BR23 modules are valid and adequately reliable tool and can be used for clinical and epidemiological cancer researches to study the health related quality of life (HRQoL) of women with breast cancer in Ethiopia.

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The impact of hormone replacement therapy on breast cancer patients' quality of life and sexuality: a pilot study

Menopause International ◽

10.1258/136218001100321155 ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 7 (2) ◽

pp. 85-91 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Jo Marsden ◽

Michael Baum ◽

Roger A'Hern ◽

Andrea West ◽

Lesley Fallowfield ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Quality Of Life ◽

Hormone Replacement Therapy ◽

Cancer Patients ◽

Sexual Functioning ◽

Hormone Replacement ◽

Sexually Active ◽

Breast Cancer Patients ◽

Vaginal Dryness

Objective. The effect of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) on the sexual functioning and quality of life of breast cancer patients has not received significant attention. Study design. One hundred postmenopausal women with early stage breast cancer who were experiencing vasomotor symptoms and/or vaginal dryness participated in a randomised trial of HRT. Main outcome measures. Women completed questionnaires at three and six months to determine changes in their quality of life, vaginal dryness and sexual activity. Results. At baseline, 52% (49/94) of patients were sexually active. Lack of a partner was the main reason for sexual inactivity (38% (17/45)). HRT had no significant effect on the proportion of women complaining of vaginal dryness or the severity of this symptom. HRT did not increase the proportion of women who were sexually active (53%(43/81)) but was associated with non-significant trends for improvements in pleasure and reduction of discomfort during intercourse. Non-significant trends towards improvements in physical functioning, sleep disturbance and fatigue were observed with HRT. Patient numbers were too small to determine whether the concomitant use of tamoxifen influenced any of these outcomes. Conclusions. Lack of a significant improvement in quality of life with HRT may reflect the possibility that patient concern about HRT negated its symptomatic benefits. Failure of HRT to improve vaginal dryness may partly account for a lack of improvement in sexual functioning. There is a need for evaluation of interventions to improve sexual functioning in breast cancer patients but the use of hormonal therapy should be restricted to controlled trials.

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Resilience and Quality of Life in Breast Cancer Patients

Open Access Macedonian Journal of Medical Sciences ◽

10.3889/oamjms.2015.128 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 3 (4) ◽

pp. 727-731 ◽

Cited By ~ 20

Author(s):

Gordana Ristevska-Dimitrоvska ◽

Izabela Filov ◽

Domnika Rajchanovska ◽

Petar Stefanovski ◽

Beti Dejanova

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Quality Of Life ◽

Cancer Patients ◽

Future Perspective ◽

Psychological Resilience ◽

Breast Cancer Patients ◽

Global Quality Of Life ◽

Eortc Qlq ◽

Almost All

BACKGROUND: Many studies have shown that a relationship exists between quality of life (QoL) and resilience in breast cancer patients, but few studies present information on the nature of this relationship of resilience on QoL. Our aim was to examine the relationship between resilience and quality of life in breast cancer patients.METHODS: QoL was measured in 218 consequent breast cancer patients, with EORTC - QLQ Core 30 questionnaire, and EORTC QLQ-BR23. The resilience was measured with Connor Davidson Resilience Scale.RESULTS: The global quality of life was positively correlated with the levels of resilience (R = 0.39 p < 0.001). All functional scales (physical, role, emotional, cognitive and social functioning was in a positive correlation with resilience. The symptoms severity (fatigue, nausea and vomitus, pain, dyspnea, insomnia, appetite loss, constipation, diarrhea, financial difficulties) was in negative correlation with resilience. Less resilient breast cancer patients reported worse body image and future perspective and suffered from more severe adverse effects of systemic therapy, and arm/breast symptoms. CONCLUSION: Our findings show that psychological resilience affects different aspects of health-related quality of life. More resilient patients have significantly better quality of life in almost all aspects of QoL.

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Comparison of the quality of life of women with breast cancer after mastectomy and after breast-conserving therapy: prospective observational study

Journal of Medical Science ◽

10.20883/jms.2017.187 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 86 (3) ◽

pp. 220

Author(s):

Iwona Głowacka-Mrotek ◽

Magdalena Sowa ◽

Krystyna Nowacka ◽

Tomasz Nowikiewicz ◽

Wojciech Hagner ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Quality Of Life ◽

Surgical Treatment ◽

Cancer Patients ◽

Developed Countries ◽

Breast Conserving Therapy ◽

Life Assessment ◽

Breast Cancer Patients ◽

Eortc Qlq

Introduction. Breast cancer is the most common malignancy in women in developed countries. Treatment of this disease affects the quality of life of patients. Quality of life is an ambiguous concept, which refers to the state of health, severity of symptoms, and implemented treatment. It is also linked to meeting individual needs of each person.Aim. The aim of the study was to assess the quality of life of breast cancer patients according to the type of previous surgery.Material and Methods. The study was conducted prospectively. The study population included 101 women with breast cancer after surgical treatment in the period from October 2012 to October 2014 (51 cases after mastectomy, the remaining ones after breast‑conserving therapy). Standard questionnaires EORTC QLQ‑C30 and QLQ‑BR23 were used to assess the quality of life (assessment on the day of admission to the department, two months and one year after surgery).Results. The analysis of QLQ‑C30 revealed no statistically significant differences between the compared groups of patients. Regarding the analysis of QLQ‑BR23, statistically significant differences related to the assessment of the patient's own body and life perspectives, evaluation of sexual feelings and social roles (they were not found in the evaluation of sexual functioning, undesirable effects of treatment or symptoms associated with the affected breast).Conclusions. Regardless of the type of surgery performed, breast cancer patients require similar psychological actions supporting their possibility of adapting to the new situation and dealing with negative effects of surgical treatment.

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