The Impact of Chemotherapy on the Quality of Life of Breast Cancer Patients

Abstract

One hundred and thirty-seven breast cancer patients, 102 receiving adjuvant chemotherapy and 35 receiving palliative chemotherapy for metastatic disease underwent a 37-item quality-of-life questionnaire to evaluate the impact of disease and treatment on physical, psychological and social well being. Patient groups were designated as follows--Adj CT: patients undergoing the questionnaire during their adjuvant chemotherapy program; Post Adj CT: patients evaluated 3 to 8 months after termination of adjuvant chemotherapy; Mts CT: patients assessed during palliative chemotherapy for metastatic disease, and Post Mts CT: patients 3 to 8 months after termination of palliative chemotherapy. Physical and social activities were reported as unaltered or normal by 64 to 70% and 52 to 67% of patients, respectively. Psychological status was judged normal by 39 to 45% of patients. No significant differences were observed between the patients groups. In 83 to 90% of cases the patient normally took care of herself. In 62 to 87% of cases time dedicated to recreational activities was reported as unaltered. The majority of patients (84%) judged that their relationship with partner and/or family were good. Severe anxiety was reported in 19 to 28% of patients and severe depression was infrequent (3.9%). Information regarding disease and treatment given by health professionals was considered satisfactory by 80 to 100% of patients.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Concomitant chemoradiotherapy for patients with nonmetastatic breast carcinoma

“…Those authors concluded that, although adjuvant chemotherapy had a measurable impact on patients' QL, this impact was transient and minor compared with patients' adaptation/coping after diagnosis and surgery. The conclusions of this study are similar to those of Campora et al, 24 indicating that the majority of patients with breast carcinoma respond normally to adjuvant chemotherapy. QL assessments at the end of the treatment period, in our study, suggest that the disappearance of a certain number of physical symptoms due to treatment (and particularly to chemotherapy) will have as a consequence further improvement of patients' QL.…”

“…However, the study by Campora et al 24 indicated that, in 83-90% of cases, patients who received chemotherapy alone took care of themselves. Our results are slightly less optimistic: Although 83.1% of patients lived at home during treatment, about 63% have needed help (principally by close relatives) for transportation to the hospital and/or home upkeep.…”

Cancer patients' supportive care needs: Strategies for assessment and intervention

“…5,[7][8][9][10][11][12][13] Although both cancer specialists and patients may accept physical and psychosocial problems as an inevitable part of the disease and its treatment, 14,15 these problems can have a substantial affect on cancer patients' compliance with their treatment and with outcomes. For example, it has been estimated that up to one-third of patients will abandon chemotherapy prematurely as a result of the physical and psychosocial symptoms, despite the potentially life-threatening consequences of such action.…”

“…Quality of life research has indicated that the diagnosis and subsequent treatment of cancer impairs cancer patients' work and social activities, management of the home, family and other relationships, sleep patterns, and sexual activity. [4][5][6][7] In addition, studies exploring the…”

Broken doctor–patient relationships: why won't they listen?

“…156,157 Moderate-to-severe anxiety has been reported in numerous studies of patients with different types of cancer, including gynaecological, lung, breast, haematological/ lymphatic, gastrointestinal, and urological cancers. 4,110,120,122,156,[158][159][160][161][162][163] Factors affecting anxiety disorders in people with cancer include:…”