Quality of Life Among Women With Breast Cancer

Abstract

Introduction: Breast cancer (BC) is the most common cancer in women all over the world. Its physical consequences and psychosocial distress had adverse effect on quality of life (QOL). Objective(s): Evaluate the QOL among women with BC. Method(s): Descriptive cross-sectional study of BC patients, carried out during a period of 5 years. Socio-demographic and medical data was collected based on a pre-established synoptic sheet. The European Organization for Research and Treatment Quality of Life Questionnaires (EORTC QLQ-C30) and EORTC QLQ-BR23 were used to assess the QOL. Result(s): A total of 100 patients were included. The mean age was 52 +/- 8 years. The mean overall health score was 77.5 +/- 25.5. The mean scores of physical and emotional functioning were 82 +/- 25.1 and 90 +/- 19.5 respectively. The QLQ-BR23 objectified a body image score of 63 +/- 23.9, an average score for sexual functioning of 87.3 +/- 22 with loss of sexual enjoyment in 75% of cases. The increase in mean overall health score and physical functioning was significantly associated with type of treatment (p = 0.01). The mean score of emotional functioning was correlated with the feeling of support (p = 0.04). The increase in the patient's body image score was significantly associated with age (p <10-3), marital status (p = 0.01) and having had a mastectomy (p <10-3). Conclusion(s): Our results underline the importance of psychosocial care, which must be an integral part of oncological care in women with BC, in order to improve their quality of life.