Quality of Life in Breast Cancer Survivors in Relation to Age, Type of Surgery and Length of Time since First Treatment

Sergio Alvarez-Pardo, Ena Monserrat Romero-Pérez (), Néstor Camberos-Castañeda, José Antonio de Paz, Mario Alberto Horta-Gim, Jerónimo J. González-Bernal, Juan Mielgo-Ayuso, Lucía Simón-Vicente, Jessica Fernández-Solana () and Josefa González-Santos
Additional contact information
Sergio Alvarez-Pardo: Department of Sports, Isabel I University, 09003 Burgos, Spain
Ena Monserrat Romero-Pérez: Division of Biological Sciences and Health, University of Sonora, Hermosillo 83000, Mexico
Néstor Camberos-Castañeda: Division of Biological Sciences and Health, University of Sonora, Hermosillo 83000, Mexico
José Antonio de Paz: Institute of Biomedicine (IBIOMED), University of León, 24071 León, Spain
Mario Alberto Horta-Gim: Division of Biological Sciences and Health, University of Sonora, Hermosillo 83000, Mexico
Jerónimo J. González-Bernal: Department of Health Sciences, University of Burgos, 09001 Burgos, Spain
Juan Mielgo-Ayuso: Department of Health Sciences, University of Burgos, 09001 Burgos, Spain
Lucía Simón-Vicente: Department of Health Sciences, University of Burgos, 09001 Burgos, Spain
Jessica Fernández-Solana: Department of Health Sciences, University of Burgos, 09001 Burgos, Spain
Josefa González-Santos: Department of Health Sciences, University of Burgos, 09001 Burgos, Spain

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 23, 1-12

Abstract: (1) Background: Quality of life assessment is a critical aspect of breast cancer patient outcomes, as diagnosis, prognosis and treatment can have a major impact on quality of life. The aim of this study was to describe the characteristics of the sample and to verify the relationship between quality of life (QOL) in women diagnosed with breast cancer (BC) and their age, type or surgery and time since treatment; (2) Methods: a cross-sectional, descriptive study was conducted with 183 women diagnosed with BC, aged 30–80 years in Mexico. Women’s QOL was assessed using two questionnaires, The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer-Quality of Life Core Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30) and The Breast Cancer Module (EORTC QLQ-BR23). (3) Results: the results show significant differences in several items when the variable age is taken into account, indicating that younger women have poorer social and sexual function, as well as poorer sexual enjoyment and lower expectations of the future. The type of surgery also indicates a significantly better QOL in those women who receive conservative treatment versus a mastectomy; the time elapsed since surgery does not show any significant results, except for sexual functioning and breast-related symptoms where >5 years implies better scores on the items. (4) Conclusions: in conclusion, it is important to take into account the characteristics of women with BC, particularly at the time of treatment, in order to mitigate the impact of the disease on their QOL with the help of a multidisciplinary team.

Keywords: breast cancer; mastectomy; breast-conserving therapy; quality of life; age (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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