QUALITY OF LIFE IN METASTATIC BREAST CANCER SURVIVORS UNDERGOING CHEMOTHERAPY

Abstract

ABSTRACT

Background: Metastatic breast cancer (MBC) and its treatment have a major impact on survivor’s quality of life (QoL). The objective of the study was to explore the factors affecting QoL among survivors undergoing chemotherapy (CT) in Beijing, China.

Methods:  A cross-sectional study was conducted among 176 MBC survivors selected by a convenient sampling from the Beijing Cancer Hospital, China from September 2014 to February 2015. The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer QoL Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30) and Breast Specific questionnaire (BR-23) Chinese version were used to measure QoL in MBC survivors. Simple linear regression and multiple linear regression were used for data analysis.

Results: Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that there was a significant association between the QoL and variables. Age (b=-0.383), marital status (b=-8.540), monthly income (b=-5.614), physical functioning (b=0.193), emotional functioning (b=0.125), symptoms of pain (b=-0.132) dyspnea (b=-0.131) and appetite loss (b=-0.215) suggests important predictors in influencing QoL among Chinese MBC survivors. The coefficient of determination (R²) =0.437

Conclusion: MBC survivors experienced many symptoms that affect their QoL. There is a need for healthcare delivery to strategize effective management to empower the survivors to take charge of their illness experience and treatment to improve the QoL.

Keywords: Metastatic breast cancer; chemotherapy; quality of life; symptoms management