Quality of Life of Nepalese Women Post Mastectomy

INTRODUCTION: Worldwide breast cancer is the common invasive cancer among the females. The quality of life of women after treatment, which is often a mastectomy, is frequently decreased. OBJECTIVE: To determine the life quality of Nepalese women post mastectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred seven women after a mastectomy were selected and interviewed by using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer-Quality of Life Questionnaire and its Breast Specific Module to assess women’s quality of life. RESULT: The study findings revealed a good score on global health status/quality of life. The respondents performed well on functional and symptom scales. In the Breast Specific Module, all respondents performed poor regarding sexual function and sexual enjoyment. Global Health Status was found useful among the women involved in service/business/agriculture and the survivors using breast prosthesis. In Breast Specific Module, systemic therapy side effects showed strong statistical associations with age, marital status, occupation, education, use of breast prosthesis and co-morbidity. Body image was highly significant with age, occupation, education, use of breast prosthesis and co-morbidity. CONCLUSION: Based on the study findings, counseling, and a structured educational programme is recommended to improve the QOL of women after a mastectomy.