Quality of life in women with breast cancer, 6 months after mastectomy

Introduction: Quality of life is a subjective assessment of physical, psychological and social well-being and reflects patients’ perceptions about the impact of breast cancer diagnosis and treatment on daily life. Better quality of life is associated with longer survival for patients with various types of cancer.The purpose of this study was to assess quality of life of women with breast cancer at  diagnosis, before mastectomy and 6 months after mastectomy.

Material and Method: The sample of the study consisted of 250 women with breast cancer who underwent mastectomy and had follow up at three hospitals in the area of Attica. Data were collected by the completion of the SF-36 Health Survey scale which included patients’ characteristics. The statistical significance level was p<0.05.

Results: Of the  sample-studied, 39.2% were below 50 years old, 38.8% were 51-61 years old, and 22% were ≥66 years old. Plus to mastectomy, 69.6% underwent adjuvant radiation therapy, 85.6% chemotherapy, and 72.8% hormone therapy. In terms of disease stage, 5.2% was of grade I, 73.2% grade II  and 21.6% grade III. Six months after mastectomy, participants reported more negatively all the dimensions of the SF36 scale with a statistically significant difference (p<0.05), except from mental health dimension, (p=0.679). The dimension of physical functionality was more negatively reported by older women (p<0.001), those of primary education, (p<0.001), the unemployed (p=0.001), those who lived in Attica region (p=0.004), those of grade II and III (p=0.008), and who did not receive adjuvant therapy, (p=0.008). The dimension physical role was more negatively reported by women older than 66 years (p=0.041) and those of primary education (p=0.036). The dimension physical pain was more negatively reported by those of primary education (p=0.001), the unemployed (p=0.032), and those of grade III (p=0.047). The dimension general health was more negatively reported by women who additionally underwent chemotherapy and radiation (p<0.001) and those who were little or no informed about their disease (p=0.012) and treatment  (p=0.003). The dimension of social functioning was more negatively reported by women of primary education (p=0.003) and those who lived in a small town or village (p<0.001). The dimension emotional role was more negatively reported by women of primary education (p=0.011) and those who lived in a small town or village (p=0.018). Finally, the change in health was more negatively reported by unmarried/divorced/widows (p=0.040).

Conclusion: Quality of life six months after mastectomy is negatively evaluated in all dimensions of SF-36 Health Survey scale, except the mental health dimension. Sociodemographic and  clinical factors are associated with quality of life six months after mastectomy. A better understanding of these factors and the overall perception of quality of life is expected to contribute in the planning of rational and costeffective interventions for this vulnerable female population.