Evaluation of Social Support, Quality of Life, and Body Image in Women with Breast Cancer

Abstract

Background: This study was aimed at comparing the quality of life, body image, and perceived social support in women with breast cancer surgery. Patients and Methods: Patients receiving breast-conserving surgery (BCS) (n = 72), mastectomy alone (n = 44), and mastectomy with breast reconstruction (n = 41) were evaluated using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30), the EORTC Breast Cancer Module (QLQ-BR23), the Body Image Scale (BIS) and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS). Results: The results indicated that the BCS group had a better body image compared with the other 2 groups and better role functioning compared with the mastectomy-alone group. In the reconstruction group, body image correlated with perceived social support, especially from family and significant others. Conclusion: These results suggest that a positive perception of a supportive social network can help women with breast reconstruction to better cope with the psychological effects of surgery on their body image.

Social networks and quality of life among female breast cancer patients at Tikur Anbessa Specialzed Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia 2019

“…This finding is in agreement with the study done in Shanghai, China (27) in which high monthly income was associated with good quality of life and study done in Addis Ababa(23), in which those who have reported that they didn't have income, were less likely to have a good (unaffected) quality of life.…”

“…Study participants who were illiterate were nearly 3 times more likely to have affected QoL than those who were educated. This finding is supported with a study conducted in Shanghai, China (27) more educated breast cancer patients had improved quality of life. The similarity might be due to the fact that educated individuals can easily understand about the side effects of treatment and proper management of treatment side effects and usage so that they can even communicate easily with their health care providers to improve their quality of life.…”

Social support and quality of life among female breast cancer patients at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital, Ethiopia 2019:Cross-sectional study

“…Participants who were college graduated were about 3 times more likely to have good social support than those who were illiterate. This is in agreement with the study done in Italy and in New York (5,22). This similarity might be due to awareness about the importance of social support.…”

“…High monthly income in the current study was more likely to have brought a good quality of life. This nding is in agreement with the study done in Shanghai, China (22) high monthly income associated with good quality of life and study done in Addis Ababa (17) those who have reported that they didn't have income, less likely to have a good (unaffected) quality of life. This similarity might be due to can get necessary medication, food, self-care materials and can afford necessary things.…”

Using Anchoring Vignettes in the Evaluation of Breast Cancer Survivors' Quality of Life

“…However, we only investigated the overall health assessments, and previous research also confirmed that in terms of these overall assessments there were only small differences between these groups [10,25]. This does not at all mean that these groups were equal with regard to specific symptoms or restrictions in functioning or body image [26]. According to our first hypothesis, cancer survivors assess the vignette characters as being markedly healthier, compared with the assessment of the general population.…”