A Study on Quality of Life of those who have Breast Cancer Patients taking Chemotherapy

Shim, Ju Hyeon; Park, Kyung Sook

Abstract

PURPOSE
This study is a descriptive research study to measure the quality of life of those who suffer from breast cancer and take the chemotherapy. METHOD: The Subjects were 70 breast cancer patients who took the chemotherapy from September 2 to October 31, 2003. Quality of life was measured by Ferrell's measurements. RESULTS: Quality of life indicators were spiritual domain=6.44, physical domain= 5.45, social domain=4.15, and mental domain= 3. 95. Whole quality of life was 4. 68 out of 10 points. The quality of life of those with a practicing religion was significantly higher than those without(F=3.88, P=0.026). Subjects who were less than 2 months post-operation had higher points in the physical domain than those who were more than 2 months post-operation (t= 2.76, p=0.007). Subjects who had less than 4 treatments of chemotherapy had higher points in the physical domain than those who had more than 4 treatments of chemotherapy (t=2.03, p=0.046). COLCLUSION: The results of this study serve as a meaningful source to promote quality of life of breast cancer patients who undergo chemotherapy. The results can also be applied to the development of education programs and counseling materials for chemotherapy patients. Health care strategy can also raise the quality of life of brest cancer patients.