Summary
Background. This study aims to assess the quality of life in breast cancer survivors, comparing it with other cancer survivors and reviewing relevant literature.
Material and methods. The study involved members of the Lithuanian Cancer Patient Coalition who answered 7 demographic data and 47 quality of life questions in the “Quality of Life in Adult Cancer Survivors” questionnaire.
Results. Among 1 019 respondents in cancer remission, 389 were breast cancer survivors. Breast cancer survivors had the highest rates of cancer benefits, fear of recurrence, and fatigue. Compared to other cancer survivors, breast cancer survivors had more financial, appearance, family problems, negative feelings, cancer benefits. Statistically significant negative correlations existed between age and fatigue, financial problems, cognitive impairment, negative feelings, fear of cancer recurrence, sexual problems, pain, appearance. Women aged 36–50 had the highest total score, while those over 65 had the lowest. Women in remission for up to 1 year rated the benefits of cancer the lowest, while those in remission for >10 years rated the benefits the highest. Women generally had poorer quality of life than men, particularly on the cancer-specific scale (48/112 for women, 39/112 for men).
Conclusions. Breast cancer survivors reported the highest levels of cancer benefit, fear of cancer recurrence and fatigue. Older women had a better quality of life than younger. Breast cancer survivors had a poorer quality of life than other cancer type survivors, with higher levels of financial, appearance problems, negative feelings, family difficulties and cancer benefits.
