<p>Quality of life of women with breast cancer undergoing treatment and follow-up at King Salman Armed Forces Hospital in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia</p>

Abstract

Background: Assessment of quality of life can significantly impact the diagnosis and treatment course of breast cancer, resulting in a better prognosis among patients. However, very limited data are available regarding quality of life among breast cancer patients in Saudi Arabia. Objective: To determine the quality of life of women with breast cancer referred to the Surgery Department of King Salman Armed Forces Hospital for treatment and follow-up. Materials and methods: This cross-sectional study used a questionnaire to assess the quality of life of 96 adult Saudi female patients diagnosed with breast cancer from January 2016 to September 2017. Results: One-third of the surveyed patients (31.3%) were >48 years of age, and 29.2% were in the 18-to 27-year age group. Regarding marital status, 35.4% of the women were married and 8.3% were single. The highest score was observed for the physical well-being subscale (7.65±071), followed by the spiritual well-being subscale (7.19±0.66), psychological wellbeing scale (7.09±0.30) and social concerns subscale (7.02±0.41). Age, marital status and cancer stage differed remarkably (P=0.00) for the physical well-being subscale scores. Meanwhile, employed women differed significantly (P=0.01) in terms of psychological well-being compared to those who were not employed. The social well-being subscale score of single and married women was significantly higher than that of widowed and divorced women. Women who underwent radiation and immunotherapy had significantly higher scores for the spiritual well-being subscale. Conclusions: Scores were determined for the physical, spiritual, psychological and social well-being scales. Age, marital status and cancer stage significantly influenced the physical well-being scale; the occupation status of the patients significantly impacted the psychological well-being scale. Social well-being can be predicted by marital status, and chemotherapy and radiation significantly impacted the spiritual well-being scale.

<p>Quality of Life Among Breast Cancer Patients Attending Hawassa University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital Cancer Treatment Center</p>

“…23 However, this finding is higher than findings of some studies conducted in Malaysia (68.4%), Panama (65.3%), and Ethiopia (68% and 45.5%). 19,20,[23][24][25] The most probable reasons for the variation of results could be the level of service, the duration and stage of breast cancer at which patients seek care. In this study, most dominating management of breast cancer is chemotherapy (89.2%) which is consistent with the results of study conducted in Northern Ethiopia (96%).…”

“…20 Alternatively, it is very high from the findings of studies conducted in Malaysia (72%), eastern China (47.4%), Saudi Arabia (43.8%), Sri Lanka (34.5%), Turkey (16.4%), and Iranian end-line finding (4.4%). 19,23,[26][27][28] However, 29.5% of the patients had received radiotherapy which is lower than finding of a Saudi Arabian study. 23 But it is at a better level in comparison to findings ofstudies in Turkey and northern Ethiopia where the service is not available at all.…”

“…19,23,[26][27][28] However, 29.5% of the patients had received radiotherapy which is lower than finding of a Saudi Arabian study. 23 But it is at a better level in comparison to findings ofstudies in Turkey and northern Ethiopia where the service is not available at all. 20,28 Only 3.5% had an earlier history of breast cancer.…”

Psychosocial Aspects of Female Breast Cancer in the Middle East and North Africa

“…Studies revealed that the extent of pain was influenced by the time of diagnosis as well as the mode of treatment. Women who underwent radiation and/or immunotherapy scored best on a spiritual well-being scale [ 79 , 80 ]. Studies in Egypt and Jordan showed that physical and psychosocial symptoms were statistically significantly better in those who underwent breast-conserving surgery rather than modified radical mastectomy [ 66 , 81 ].…”

“…The studies that were reviewed showed the importance of the role of the family in both diagnosis and treatment stages. For example, divorced and widowed Saudi women scored lower on social well-being than their married counterparts [ 79 ]. Patients were affected by the presence or absence of familial support as well as their families’ reactions to the illness.…”