Quality of Life of Women with Breast Cancer and Socio-Demographic Factors

BACKGROUND. Breast cancer treatment is an aggressive therapy that affects the deterioration of women’s quality of life (QOL) in many areas. Knowledge about factors that influence the assessment of the QOL is of particular importance. The aim of the study was to analyse areas of the quality of life of women with breast cancer, taking into account social and demographic factors. METHODS: The research was carried included 324 women with breast cancer. The research was carried out using a diagnostic survey, the author’s questionnaire and a standardized questionnaire for measuring the QOL of women treated for breast cancer, ie the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer, Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC) QLQ-C30 and QLQ-QLQ module BR23. Statistical analysis uses Statistica 10.0 software. The results were considered statistically significant when the calculated probability met the inequality of p <0.05. RESULTS: A lower QoL was found in women with diagnosed breast cancer. With age, the QoL score of respondents in the area of physical, sexual and hair loss decreased, and the following symptoms intensified: pain, insomnia, lack of appetite and shoulder ailments. The age of the respondents positively correlated with the image of their own body and social functioning. Higher QOL (higher values of functional scales and lower intensity of symptoms) were found in patients in relationships (in the scope of: cognitive functioning, future prospects), with higher education (in the scope of: physical, emotional, cognitive and sexual functioning) and declaring very good situation financial (in the scope of: physical, emotional, cognitive functioning, performing social roles). CONCLUSIONS: Age, marital status, education and financial situation influenced the QOL of women with breast cancer. In the care of women with breast cancer, attention should be paid to the individualisation of the therapeutic process, with particular emphasis on psychotherapy and support by social services.