J Breast Cancer.  2013 Jun;16(2):220-228. 10.4048/jbc.2013.16.2.220.

Quality of Life Assessment in Women with Breast Cancer: A Prospective Study Including Hormonal Therapy

• Sert F
• Ozsaran Z
• Eser E
• Alanyali S
• Haydaroglu A
• Aras A

• KMID: 2286405
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4048/jbc.2013.16.2.220

Abstract

PURPOSE
Evaluating the effect of hormonal treatment on quality of life (QoL) in breast cancer patients by using the Functional Assessment of Cancer Treatment (FACT) questionnaire is the main purpose of this trial.
METHODS
Breast cancer patients treated with adjuvant between January 2007 and December 2009 were evaluated. The first survey was done after patients completed their whole adjuvant treatment except for the hormonal therapy and this was as 'basal assessment.' The second survey was done 6 to 12 months after the basal surveys during their routine policlinic controls. The last survey was done within the last 18 to 24 months of the follow-up period.
RESULTS
The effect of marital status, number of pregnancies, residence in the village or city, hemoglobin levels, chemotherapy and hormonal therapy for any other reason except for breast cancer on the QoL could not be seen. Endocrine subscale scores were detected to be higher in patients aged >60 years than in younger ones. The other dimension scores were low in the elderly patient group. There was a statistically significant relationship between being >30 years old and improvement in the social well-being score (p=0.028). The functional well-being scores were found to be significantly higher in the patient group that had no comorbid disease (p=0.018). Endocrine subscale scores were statistically worse in patients who had psychiatric disease (p=0.057) but the general QoL data were similar with others. It was shown that all QoL scores for all dimensions had statistically significant changes (p<0.001) in terms of hormonal regimes.
CONCLUSION
The diagnosis of breast cancer was found to be an independent factor that affects social well-being and social life in a negative way. We must give attention to complaints including complaints about sexual life and hormonal status in order to ensure compliance of patients with the required hormonal regimens. By the help of future research, we can improve the prognosis of this disease through increased treatment adherence and belief of patients.

Keyword

Aromatase inhibitors; Breast neoplasms; Quality of life; Tamoxifen

MeSH Terms

Aged
Aromatase Inhibitors
Breast
Breast Neoplasms
Compliance
Dietary Sucrose
Female
Follow-Up Studies
Hemoglobins
Humans
Marital Status
Pregnancy
Prognosis
Prospective Studies
Quality of Life
Tamoxifen
Surveys and Questionnaires
Aromatase Inhibitors
Dietary Sucrose
Hemoglobins
Tamoxifen

Figure

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  Figure 1 Flow chart of patient selection.

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  Figure 2 The survey subscale alterations during follow-up period for tamoxifen and aromatase inhibitors users. PWB=physical well-being; SWB=social well-being; EWB=emotional well-being; FWB=functional well-being; FACT-G=Functional Assessment of Cancer Treatment-General; FACT-G Score=PWB+SWB+EWB+FWB; ES=endocrine subscale.

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