Breek Karin, Abuhalima Dania, Salameh Husam, Al-Jabi Samah W, Zyoud Sa'ed H
Clinical Pharmacy Program, Department of Medical and Health Sciences, Faculty of Graduate Studies, Nablus, 44839, Palestine.
Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, An- Najah National University, Nablus, 44839, Palestine.
BMC Cancer. 2025 Jun 1;25(1):975. doi: 10.1186/s12885-025-14381-9.
Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in terms of incidence. This study aimed to determine the side effects of breast cancer treatment reported by patients with breast cancer and their quality of life (QoL).
This study was a cross-sectional questionnaire-based survey. The data collection instrument was divided into two distinctive sections. Part (A) collected data covering sex, age at diagnosis, clinical symptoms, complications, treatment measures, and side effects of the treatments. While part (B) of the questionnaire involved the quality-of-life assessment tool, the current study employed the WHOQOL-BREF (Arabic version) as an assessment tool. The data were entered and analysed with the IBM Statistical Package for Social Sciences (IBM SPSS) version 21. Two large referral hospitals were involved in the study.
A total of 258 patients with breast cancer participated in this study. In addition to patients with breast cancer, the majority (80.2%) of the patients had one or more comorbid conditions. More than half (59.3%) of the patients were diagnosed less than 3 years ago. With respect to disease stage, 147 (57%) patients were in Stage I, 51 (19.8%) patients were in Stage II, 54 (20.9%) patients were in Stage III, and 6 (2.3%) patients were in Stage IV. Among the patients, 207 (80.2%) received chemotherapy, 159 (61.6%) underwent lumpectomy, 156 (60.5%) received radiotherapy, and 102 (39.5%) underwent mastectomy. Deteriorations in the overall scores were predicted by having comorbidities; having advanced-stage breast cancer; receiving mastectomy; and experiencing headaches, vomiting, depression, anxiety, mood swings, and mouth and throat sores (mucositis), fever, and insomnia (trouble sleeping).
The findings of this study highlighted the heavy burden of disease and therapy-related adverse effects on the QoL of patients with breast cancer who received treatment in Palestine. Providing comprehensive assessment, personalizing care plans, and reducing the incidence of adverse effects can improve the QoL and well-being of patients with breast cancer. A multidisciplinary holistic care plan for breast cancer patients who integrates physical and mental health support is urgently needed to improve the QoL of these patients.
乳腺癌是女性中发病率最高的癌症。本研究旨在确定乳腺癌患者报告的乳腺癌治疗副作用及其生活质量（QoL）。
本研究是一项基于问卷的横断面调查。数据收集工具分为两个不同部分。（A）部分收集的数据涵盖性别、诊断时年龄、临床症状、并发症、治疗措施以及治疗的副作用。而问卷的（B）部分涉及生活质量评估工具，本研究采用世界卫生组织生活质量简表（阿拉伯语版）作为评估工具。数据使用IBM社会科学统计软件包（IBM SPSS）21版录入和分析。两家大型转诊医院参与了本研究。
共有258例乳腺癌患者参与本研究。除乳腺癌患者外，大多数（80.2%）患者有一种或多种合并症。超过一半（59.3%）的患者在不到3年前被诊断。关于疾病分期，147例（57%）患者处于I期，51例（19.8%）患者处于II期，54例（20.9%）患者处于III期，6例（2.3%）患者处于IV期。在患者中，207例（80.2%）接受了化疗，159例（61.6%）接受了肿块切除术，156例（60.5%）接受了放疗，102例（39.5%）接受了乳房切除术。合并症、晚期乳腺癌、接受乳房切除术以及出现头痛、呕吐、抑郁、焦虑、情绪波动、口腔和咽喉溃疡（粘膜炎）、发热和失眠（睡眠障碍）可预测总体评分下降。
本研究结果突出了疾病和治疗相关不良反应对在巴勒斯坦接受治疗的乳腺癌患者生活质量的沉重负担。提供全面评估、个性化护理计划以及降低不良反应发生率可改善乳腺癌患者的生活质量和幸福感。迫切需要为乳腺癌患者制定一项整合身心健康支持的多学科整体护理计划，以提高这些患者的生活质量。
