Health related quality of life among female breast cancer survivors followed up at tertiary care setting in Sri Lanka

Abstract

Background: Breast cancer survivors are treated with different methods such as mastectomy with chemotherapy and radiotherapy. However, these treating methods lead to reduce overall Health Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) among breast cancer survivors. Aims: The main aim of the study was to assess the impact of treatment methods and other determinants on HRQoL among breast cancer survivors in Sri Lanka. Settings and Design: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at breast clinic in the Apeksha hospital Sri Lanka. Method and Material: The total sample of 300 histologically confirmed breast cancer survivors were recruited to the study. An interviewer administered questionnaire and data extraction form were used to obtain socio – demographic data and modes of treatments respectively. WHOQOL – BREF instrument was used to assess HRQoL. Statistical analysis used: The independent sample “ t ” test was applied to assess relationships between HRQoL and its determinants. Multiple linear regression was conducted to identify the predictors of HRQoL among breast cancer survivors. Results: The mean (SD) age of the study population was 55.9 (9.9) years. Majority of participants (57.3 %) were treated with mastectomy with chemotherapy while 2.3% were treated with radiotherapy along. 21% underwent mastectomy along and 13.7% were treated with all three methods. 5.7% participants were awaiting to start treatment. Participants treated with mastectomy and chemotherapy and all three methods had low HRQoL in all four domains ( p <0.001). further, younger age and unemployment status associated with low HRQoL in psychological and social domains respectively ( P =0.007 and P =0.003). Lower score was observed among non – Sinhala participants in environmental domain ( P = 0.017). Conclusion: Breast cancer survivors had low level of overall HRQoL following multiple treatments. younger age, unemployment and non-Sinhala ethnicity are main predictors for low HRQoL in psychological, social and environmental domains respectively.