Quality of life at the end of primary treatment of breast cancer: First results from the moving beyond cancer randomized trial

Abstract

Background: During the last decade, survival rates for breast cancer have increased as a result of earlier detection and increased use of adjuvant therapy. Limited data exist on the psychosocial aspects of the transitional period between the end of primary treatment and survivorship. We investigated the baseline psychosocial status of women enrolled in a randomized trial testing two psychosocial interventions for women at the end of primary treatment. Methods: Participants, identified within 1 month after surgery (registration), provided demographic information and limited measures of quality of life. They were followed until they finished primary treatment (enrollment), at which time they completed a mailed baseline survey that included standardized measures of quality of life (including standardized scales of physical anal emotional functioning), mood, symptoms, and sexual functioning. A total of 558 patients (mean age = 56.9 years) were enrolled in the study between July 1, 1999, and June 30, 2002. Health outcomes were examined according to treatment received: mastectomy with and without chemotherapy, and lumpectomy with and without chemotherapy. All statistical tests were two-sided. Results: Among all treatment groups, patients who had a mastectomy had the poorest physical functioning at registration (P