The meaningfulness of quality of life in women diagnosed with breast cancer: a systematic review.

Abstract

Review Objectives: The objective of this systematic review is to critically appraise, sythesise and present the best available evidence related to meaningfulness of QoL of women diagnosed with breast cancer, during and up to ten years after treatment for breast cancer. The specific areas of interest relate to : 1. what is the meaning of QoL from the perspective of women diagnosed with breast cancer; and 2. what are the domains of QoL most strongly affected by women diagnosed with breast cancer? 3. what are the domains of QoL most strongly affected by women during and after receiving treatment for breast cancer? Inclusion Criteria: Types of participants: The review will consider studies that include women 1) with breast cancer of early stages i.e. stage 0 to IIIA according to tumour node metastases (TNM) staging 2) receiving or completed breast cancer treatment i.e. surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy and/or hormonal therapy 3) within 10 years of surviving breast cancer treatment 4) over the age of 18 years 5) who are inpatients or outpatients 6) living with or without partners 7) regardless of race, culture, ethnicity or other social and economic backgrounds 8) without other medical co-morbidities. Phenomena of interest The review will consider primary studies that explore the meaning of changes in the QoL of women diagnosed with breast cancer, during and after treatment for breast cancer.