Quality of life of women who underwent breast cancer treatment relative to sociodemographic, behavioral, and clinical factors

• Published in: Einstein (São Paulo, Brazil) Brazil), 2024-01, Vol.22, p.eAO0585-eAO0585
• Main Authors: Campos, Angélica Atala Lombelo, Bustamante-Teixeira, Maria Teresa, Ervilha, Rafaela Russi, Fayer, Vivian Assis, Cintra, Jane Rocha Duarte, Freitas, Renata Mendes de, Almeida, Daniela Pereira de, Guerra, Maximiliano Ribeiro
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Activities of daily living; Breast neoplasms; Breast Neoplasms - drug therapy; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Humans; Life style; MEDICINE, GENERAL & INTERNAL; Original; Quality of life; Quality of Life - psychology; Sociodemographic factors; Surveys and Questionnaires; Survivors
• ISSN: 1679-4508; 2317-6385; 2317-6385
• DOI: 10.31744/einstein_journal/2024AO0585

Patients with cancer often undergo multiple extended treatments that decrease their quality of life. However, the quality of life of women with breast cancer after they undergo treatment remains underexplored in Brazil. Therefore, this study determined sociodemographic, behavioral, and clinical factors related to the post-treatment quality of life of women with breast cancer. This cross-sectional study involved 101 women diagnosed with breast cancer between 2014 and 2016 and treated at a Brazilian Oncology Reference Service. Data were collected from them using face-to-face surveys. Quality of life was evaluated using the European Organization for the Research and Treatment of Cancer Core Quality of Life questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30) and EORTC Breast Cancer-specific Quality of Life questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-BR23). The data collected were analyzed using Student's t-test and Mann-Whitney U test. The median score on the global health, functional, and symptom scales of the EORTC QLQ-C30 was 75.00 (Interquartile range=33.33), 75.99 (Standard deviation [SD]=19.26), and 19.67 (SD=16.91), respectively. The mean score on the functional and symptom scales of the EORTC QLQ-BR23 was 61.89 (SD=17.21) and 20.12 (SD=16.94), respectively. Furthermore, higher post-treatment quality of life was found to be associated with being aged 50 or more, being Black, having eight or more years of education, having a partner, having a paying job, receiving treatment from the private healthcare system, having a higher income, living in the municipality where healthcare services are availed, engaging in physical activity, not smoking, being more religious, having more social support, not being overweight, having no comorbidities, and undergoing lumpectomy. Sociodemographic, behavioral, and clinical factors significantly impact the quality of life of women who undergo breast cancer treatment. Implementing interventions that improve health and reducing inequalities in the access to healthcare services can improve the quality of life of these patients. Sociodemographic, clinical, and lifestyle factors impact the quality of life of breast cancer survivors. Breast cancer therapy may affect future perspectives and emotional, cognitive, and sexual function. Some aspects of quality of life still require attention from health professionals. Higher post-treatment quality of life of women with breast cancer is linked to being aged 50 or more, being Black, having 8 or more years of education, having