Quality of life in breast cancer survivors

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the influence of functional capacity (FC) and how it affects quality of life (QoL) in breast cancer survivors. Method: A total of 400 breast cancer survivors were studied -118 without metastasis, 160 with locoregional metastasis and 122 with distant metastasis. The European Organization for Research and Treatment for Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire--Core 30 (EORTC QLQ-C30), Breast Cancer-Specific (EORTC QLQ-BR23), and the Karnofsky Performance Scale (KPS) were used to evaluate FC and QoL. Results: Women with distant metastases presented lower KPS 75.3 (SD=12.5) (p<0.001). For QLQ-C30, the mean of the Functional Scale for patients with distant metastasis was 57 (SD=19) (p<0.001), and the mean of the Symptom Scale for patients with distant metastasis was 37 (SD=20) (p<0.001). Both the scales for pain and fatigue showed the highest mean in the groups. For the Global Health Scale, patients without metastasis scored a mean of 62 (SD=24) points, while those with locoregional metastases scored a mean of 63 (SD=21.4), and distant metastasis scored 51.3 (SD=24) points. In the group with distant metastases, 105 (87%) had pain, and the average KPS was 74 (SD=12.0) (p=0.001). Conclusion: Breast cancer was associated with decreased FC, compromised QoL in women with locoregional and distant metastases compared to those without metastasis.

Comparative evaluation of analgesic sparing efficacy between dexmedetomidine and clonidine used as adjuvant to ropivacaine in thoracic paravertebral block for patients undergoing breast cancer surgery: A prospective, randomized, double-blind study

“…Patients with breast cancer have pain either at the time of diagnosis or mostly at advanced stages. [ 1 ] Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers affecting women and surgery is often the mainstay treatment. Although few patients reported chronic pain, most of women experienced moderate-to-severe intensity acute postoperative pain in the 1 st week after breast cancer surgery.…”

Female Breast Cancer Patients, Mastectomy-Related Quality of Life: Experience from Ethiopia

“…It is also lower compared to the finding of Costa et al in Brazil who analyzed GHS patients for different stages. The mean score of GHS of patients without metastasis was 62 (SD = 24) points, while those with locoregional metastases was 63 (SD = 21:4), and the distant metastasis was 51.3 (SD = 24) points [14]. This finding makes the mean scores of our patients' (all stages combined) QOL even worse than those of patients with advanced breast cancers.…”

Comparison of breast cancer patients who underwent partial mastectomy (PM) with mini latissimus dorsi flap (MLDF) and subcutaneous mastectomy with implant (M + I) regarding quality of life (QOL), cosmetic outcome and survival rates

“…In spite of these statistically higher rate of poor prognostic factors in PM + MLDF group, no differences were seen between the groups in terms of 5-year local recurrence (2% and 3%) and overall survival rates (97% in both groups). Prosthetic-based breast reconstruction was associated with increased major breast complications up to 49% [44][45][46][47][48][49]. It is expensive and results in delays for adjuvant systemic treatment.…”