Correlates of existential well-being and their association with health-related quality of life in breast cancer survivors compared with the general population

Abstract

The aim was to evaluate the correlates of existential well-being (EWB) and investigate the relationship between EWB and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) according to the McGill Quality of Life Questionnaire (MQOL) in breast cancer survivors (BCS) and in the general population. BCS (N = 1,933) recruited from five large hospitals completed a mailed survey, which included the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30 (QLQ-C30), Quality of Life Questionnaire Breast Cancer Module (QLQ-BR23) and the MQOL. Reference data were derived from a representative sample of the Korean adult population composed of 500 women selected by a nationwide random route technique. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that members of the general population with a lower educational status were more likely to report poor EWB. However, among BCS, correlates that were associated with poor EWB included lower monthly income, lower educational status, unemployment and comorbidities. Almost all factors listed on the HRQOL questionnaire were correlated with EWB in BCS as well as in the general population (P < 0.001). Factors listed on the QLQ-C30 that were correlated to a clinically meaningful extent with EWB in the general population included physical functioning, nausea and vomiting, and appetite loss, whereas among BCS, insomnia and distress over hair loss were meaningfully correlated with EWB. Compared with general population, BCS showed different EWB correlates and distinct associations with HRQOL findings. Our data suggest that socio-economic status and comorbidities influence on their EWB.

Prevalence and Predictors of Anxiety and Depression Among Cervical Cancer Survivors in Korea

“…The new finding that existential well-being is an independent predictor of both anxiety and depression (ORs, 3.1 and 9.2, respectively) is in line with the study reported by Shin et al 42 Cancer is a life-altering disease that often challenges one's view of the world, oneself, and one's future. 42 Given the existential nature of these concerns, psychooncology clinicians have recently begun to recognize the importance of spiritual factors in the process of adapting to life after cancer.…”

“…42 Given the existential nature of these concerns, psychooncology clinicians have recently begun to recognize the importance of spiritual factors in the process of adapting to life after cancer. 43 This finding supports previous studies indicating that the independent effects of existential wellbeing are strongly correlated with positive health outcomes in cancer survivorship.…”

Psychometric properties of the Dutch extended Cancer Survivors’ Unmet Needs measure (CaSUN-NL)

“…Shin et al. (2009) conclude that existential well‐being of breast cancer survivors is critical for their quality of life. However, a clear explanation for not finding completely matching factor structures remains unclear.…”

The Role of Capecitabine in Early Stage Breast Cancer

“…The reported safety profiles of both regimens were consistent with the expected side effects; patients in the capecitabinecontaining arm had more hand-foot syndrome and diarrhea, but less althralgia, myalgia, and grade 3-4 hematologic adverse events than those in the control arm. This trial had a specific hair loss questionnaire to explore the impact of chemotherapy on alopecia, a consistent fear of patients treated for breast cancer [37,38], and that relates to well-being and distress [39,40]. The frequency of partial or complete alopecia was similar for both treatment arms but patients in the capecitabine arm had to wear a wig for a shorter time than those in the control arm (5.85 vs 8.35 months; P < 0.0001).…”