Assessment of the Quality of Life in Turkish Breast Cancer Patients.

OBJECTIVE

Breast cancer significantly influences the quality of life (QoL) in women. The aim of this study was to assess the QoL in breast cancer patients and to determine the factors that have an effect on the QoL.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We used sociodemographic data questionnaire, European Cancer Research and Treatment Organization QLQ-C30 questionnaire and linear regression analysis to determine the factors that affect the QLQ-C30 global health score, functional score, and symptom score.

RESULTS

This study included 113 patients with a median age of 50.61 years (range: 17-80 years). Half of the patients used complementary and alternative treatments, 45.5% used painkillers, and 19.4% used antidepressants. The most important factors related to the global health score were the place of birth, use of painkillers, and employment status. The most important factors related to the functional status were the disease stage at the time of diagnosis and the information status about the disease. The most important factors related to symptom status were age, the disease stage at the time of diagnosis, the information status about the disease, and psychiatric referral.

CONCLUSION

The findings indicated the consistency and strength of the relationship between clinical and sociodemographic factors and the QoL in breast cancer patients. Psychological support, when necessary, and the use of painkillers and antidepressants may improve the QoL in breast cancer patients.