Assessment of Quality of Life among Women Aged 35-55 Suffering from Breast Cancer

Background: Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer with women worldwide, striking more and more at women in productive age of life, and the success of healthcare for women with this disease is measured with the quality of life of survivors. The aim of this study was to examine how the breast cancer affects the quality of life of women aged 35-55 and in what dimension of health quality of life is the least accomplished.

Method: A pilot research has been performed in the period from June 10th to August 15th 2011, on 56 women, all from Association of women with breast cancer “Iskra” in Banja Luka, aged 35-55. The survey research was based on the EORTC QLQ-C30 version 3.0 and questionnaire.

Results: The average value of scale for total health status was 30.1 and the score of overall health condition (2.9) as well as the score for total quality of life (2.8). Mean values of the score for emotional and social functioning, as well as functional role were statistically lower in relation to the physical function and cognitive functions. The scores on the symptoms scale were statistically lower for constipation, dyspnea, nausea and vomiting, loss of appetite and diarrhea, in relation to scores for symptoms of fatigue, pain and insomnia.

Conclusion: Breast cancer affects all the domains in life quality in women's productive age, especially in the domain of emotional and social functioning. The quality of life is affected particularly in these domains by family, environment and community, whose influence is yet to be examined.

Author(s):

Zivana Gavric and Zivana Vukovic-Kostic

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