Factors associated with quality of life of breast cancer patients

Abstract

Background : To improve the quality of life (QOL) of breast cancer patients is an important issue for nursing staff. Therefore, understanding the associated factors with QOL is a crucial knowledge for developing nursing intervention.

Objective : To examine the associated factors with QOL and the effected factors on the QOL of breast cancer patients.

Design : A cross-sectional descriptive design.

Patients : One hundred and fifty female patients with breast cancer receiving chemotherapy.

Material and Method : The participants were asked to respond to a set of seven questionnaires: The Personal Data Form, Piper Fatigue Scale, Pain Scale, Depression Scale, Insomnia Scale, Social Support Questionnaire, and Quality of Life Index.

Results : The mean scores of the QOL ( = 66.43; SD = 13.94) was at a moderate level. All independent variables including fatigue, pain, depression and sleep disturbance were significantly negatively correlated with QOL accept social support that had a significantly positive associated with QOL. Significant factors effected on the QOL were depression, fatigue and the stage of cancer (β = -.56; -.31; and -.15, respectively; P < .01). Three variables accounted for 71% of the variance (P < .01).

Conclusions : The findings indicate that the Symptom Management Model is a useful guideline for explaining the QOL of breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. When designing effective nursing interventions, nurses should emphasize ways of helping breast cancer patients to manage or control the severity of depression and fatigue symptoms.