Predictors of Quality of Life in Women with Breast Cancer

Suh, Yeon Ok

Abstract

PURPOSE: This study was to identify predictors of quality of life in breast cancer patients. Physical and pscyhological factors like stress, mood, and fatigue with sociodemographic factors like education, income, job and stage of disease were used to predict quality of life. METHODS: One hundred eleven patients with breast cancer participated in this study? The functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Breast(FACT-B) was used to assess quality of life. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 46.7 years. The FACT-B mean score was 89.89 (SD:17.31) Education, income, job and stage of disease were significantly associated with QOL. In a regression analysis, mood, income, and fatigue were significant predictors for QOL: where as, stress was not significant. Among the subscales of QOL, physical well-being, functional well-being, emotional well-being, and the breast cancer subscale were included as predictors of QOL CONCLUSION: Physical and psychological factors were strong predictors of QOL. These results demonstrate the need for interventions to improve QOL in breast cancer survivors.