Quality of life assessment in survivors of breast cancer.

AIM

The aim was to assess the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and its temporal variation at first visit and subsequent visits among breast cancer patients.

DESIGN AND SETTING

The prospective study was carried out in Outpatient Department of Radiation Oncology, University Teaching and Tertiary Referral Hospital.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

After clearance from the ethical committee and EORTC group, 81 surgically treated female breast cancer patients referred to the Outpatient Department of Radiation Oncology for chemoradiation and hormonal therapy were included in the study after informed written consent, irrespective of the age and stage of disease. The patients were interviewed as per the EORTC QLQ-C30 Questionnaire module at four levels at the first visit and at subsequent follow-up visits at 6, 12, and 24 months, respectively, and are still on follow-up.

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS

The data collected were expressed as mean/raw score (RS), standard deviation (SD), and percent mean/scale score expressed on the linear transformation scale, derived as per the calculations and equations of the EORTC QLQ-C30 Scoring Manual. Intragroup comparison (IGC) was done at four levels/visits, a, b, c and d. A P-value of <0.05 was considered significant.

RESULTS

The mean age at presentation was 46.6 ± 10.2 years. The study showed that the physical functioning, role functioning, cognitive functioning, emotional functioning, social functioning, global health status, and symptomatology showed statistically significant improvement over time (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

The survivors of female breast cancer over the long-term follow-up showed significant improvement and coping mechanisms involved in a majority of HRQOL parameters.