• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제15권22호
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• pp.9753-9757
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• 2014

Purpose: To study the quality of life and to identify associated factors among breast cancer patients undergoing treatment in national cancer centers in Nepal. Materials and Methods: One hundred breast cancer patients were selected and interviewed using a structured questionnaire. European Organization of Research and Treatment of Cancer EORTC-QLQ-C30 and EORTC-QLQ-BR23 were used to assess quality of life and modified Medical Outcome Study -Social Support survey(mMOS-SS) was used to assess social support. Only multi-item scales of EORTC C30 and BR23 were analyzed for relationships. Independent sample T-tests and ANOVA were applied to analyze differences in mean scores. Results: The score of global health status/quality of life (GHS/GQoL) was marginally above average (mean=52.8). The worst performed scales in C-30 were emotional and social function while best performed scales were physical and role function. In BR-23, most of the patients fell into the problematic group regarding sexual function and enjoyment. Almost 90% had financial difficulties. Symptom scales did not demonstrate many problems. Older individuals, patients with stage I breast cancer and thosewith good social support were found to have good GHS/GQoL. Of all the influencing factors, social support was established to have strong statistical associations with most of the functional scales: GHS/GQoL (0.003), emotional function (<0.001), cognitive function (0.020), social function (<0.001) and body image function (0.011). Body image was significantly associated with most of the influencing factors: monthly family income (0.003), type of treatment (<0.001), type of surgery (<0.001), stage of cancer (0.017) and social support (0.011). Conclusions: Strategies to improve social support of the patients undergoing treatment should be given priority and financial difficulties faced by breast cancer patients should be well addressed from a policy making level by initiating health financing system.

• 한국전문물리치료학회지
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• 제19권1호
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• pp.56-65
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• 2012

This study examines the effects of a rehabilitation program on quality of life (QOL), cardiopulmonary function and fatigue during radiotherapy for breast cancer patients. The program includes aerobic exercise, stretching and strengthening exercises. Sixty-five women participated in this study and they were asked to perform supervised exercises that last for 60 minutes five times a week for six weeks. The European organization for research and treatment of cancer-cancer (EORTC QLQ-C30) and the breast (EORTC QLQ-BR23), predicted maximal volume of oxygen consumption ($VO_{2max}$) and fatigue severity scale (FSS) were assessed before and after the rehabilitation program. The 60-minute program consisted of a 10-minute warm-up, 30-minute of aerobic exercises, and 15-minute of strengthening exercises, followed by a five-minute cool-down. Heart rates were monitored throughout the exercise class to ensure that patients were exercising at the target heart rate of 40~75% of the age-adjusted heart rate maximum. There were statistically significant differences in the changes of physical function and cancer related symptoms in the EORTC QLQ-C30 and EORTC QLQ-BR23 (p<.05). There was a statistically significant improvement in the predicted $VO_{2max}$ (p<.05), although there were no significant differences in the FSS (p>.05). The results of our study suggest that a supervised rehabilitation program may benefit the physical aspects and QOL of patients receiving radiotherapy for breast cancer.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제15권13호
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• pp.5377-5381
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• 2014

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the differences in quality of life in patients who received breast conserving surgery (BCS) or modified radical mastectomy (MRM) for breast cancer. Materials and Methods: A total of 100 women with breast cancer who underwent either BCS or MRM between September 2011 and April 2012 at a private health center and completed their chemotherapy and radiation therapy cycles were included in the study. To assess the quality of life, we used a demographic questionnaire, the European Organization for the Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30) and the Quality of Life assessment in Breast Cancer (EORTC QLQ-BR23). Results: Using QLQ-C30, we found that patients who underwent BCS had better functional status and fewer symptoms than patients who underwent MRM. In QLQ-BR23, independent factors improving the functional scales were BCS, higher level of education and marital status (married); independent factors improving symptoms were BCS, higher level of education, younger age and low and normal body mass index (BMI). In QLQ-C30, independent factors affecting the functional and symptom scales were only BCS and higher level of education. Conclusions: We determined that patients who received BCS had better functional status and less frequent symptoms than patients who underwent MRM.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제15권8호
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• pp.3533-3536
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• 2014

Background: Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers in women in the world. Health-related quality of life (HRQL) at treatment endpoint in cancer clinical trials is widely considered to be increasingly important. The aim of this review was to provide a literature-based assessment of the validity, reliability and responsiveness of breast cancer-specific HRQL instruments in women breast cancer patients. Materials and Methods: The databases consulted were Medline, PubMed, and Embase. The inclusion criteria required studies to: (1) involve use of HRQL measures; (2) cover women with breast cancer under standard treatment (surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, and targeted therapy); (3) involve the validity, reliability, or responsiveness of HRQL; (4) deal with validation of breast cancer-specific HRQL instruments. Results: A total of 16 studies were identified through the literature search that met the 4 inclusion criteria. Some seven instruments were assessed among these 16 studies: EORTC QLQ-BR23, FACT-B, FACT-ES, HFRDIS, LSQ-32, QLICP-BR, and SLDS-BC. EORTC QLQ-BR23, FACT-B, LSQ-32, QLICP-BR, and SLDS-BC are more general breast cancer-specific HRQL instruments. FACT-EB is the endocrine subscale combined with FACT-B in order to measure the side effects and putative benefits of hormonal treatment administered in breast cancer patients. HFRDIS is the HRQL measure focusing on hot flash concerns. Conclusions: This paper provides an overall understanding on the currently available breast cancer-specific HRQL instruments in women breast cancer patients.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제17권4호
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• pp.1677-1684
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• 2016

Background: Among the factors reported to determine the quality of life of breast cancer patients are socio-demographic background, clinical stage, type of treatment received, and the duration since diagnosis. Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the quality of life (QOL) scores among breast cancer patients at a Malaysian public hospital. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study of breast cancer patients was conducted between March to June 2013. QOL scores were determined using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30) and its breast cancer supplementary measure (QLQ-BR23). Both the QLQ-C30 and QLQ-BR23 assess items from functional and symptom scales. The QLQ-C30 in addition also measures the Global Health Status (GHS). Systematic random sampling was used to recruit patients. Results: 223 breast cancer patients were recruited with a response rate of 92.1%. The mean age of the patients was 52.4 years (95% CI = 51.0, 53.7, SD=10.3). Majority of respondents are Malays (60.5%), followed by Chinese (19.3%), Indians (18.4%), and others (1.8%). More than 50% of respondents are at stage III and stage IV of malignancy. The mean Global Health Status was 65.7 (SD = 21.4). From the QLQ-C30, the mean score in the functioning scale was highest for 'cognitive functioning' (84.1, SD=18.0), while the mean score in the symptom scale was highest for 'financial difficulties' (40.1, SD=31.6). From the QLQ-BR23, the mean score for functioning scale was highest for 'body image' (80.0, SD=24.6) while the mean score in the symptom scale was highest for 'upset by hair loss' (36.2, SD=29.4). Two significant predictors for Global Health Status were age and employment. The predictors explained 10.6% of the variation of global health status ($R^2=0.106$). Conclusions: Age and employment were found to be significant predictors for Global Health Status (GHS). The Quality of Life among breast cancer patients reflected by the GHS improves as age and employment increases.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제17권12호
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• pp.5063-5069
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• 2016

Background: Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in most countries of the world. It is ranked first in females in Morocco (accounting for 33.4% of the total cancer burden) and more than 60% of cases are diagnosed at stage III or IV. During the last decade, health-related quality of life (HRQOL) has become an important aspect of breast cancer treatment. The objective of this study was to describe self-reported HRQOL in patients with breast cancer and to investigate its associations with sociodemographic and clinical variables. Methods: A prospective study was carried out in the main oncology centers in Morocco. Quality of life was measured using the Moroccan Arabic versions of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire C 30 (EORTC QLQ C30) and the Breast Cancer-Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-BR23). Statistical analyses were performed using descriptive statistics and multivariate analyses. Results: A total of 1463 subjects were included in the study, with a mean age of 55.6 (SD. 11.2) years, 70% being married. The majority had stage II (45.9%) and a few cases stage IV (12.9%) lesions. The participants' global health mean score was 68.5 and in "functional scales", social functioning scored the highest (Mean 86.2 (SD=22.7)). The most distressing symptom on the symptom scale was financial difficulties (Mean 63.2 (SD=38.2)). Using the disease specific tool, it was found that future perspective scored the lowest (Mean 40.5 (SD=37.3)). On the symptom scale, arm symptoms scored the highest (Mean 23.6 (SD=21.6)). Significant mean differences were noted for many functional and symptom scales. Conclusion: Our results emphasized that the general HRQOL for our study population is lower than for corresponding populations in other countries. This study provided baseline information on the quality of life for a large sample of Moroccan women diagnosed with breast cancer.

• 대한정형도수물리치료학회지
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• 제27권2호
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• pp.45-54
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• 2021

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of flexi-bar exercise on shoulder pain, dysfunction, quality of life, and range of motion of women with breast cancer surgery. Methods: A total of 42 female patients who had breast cancer were included in this study. By drawing lots, subjects were divided into a flexi-bar exercise group (FBG, n=21) and a general breast cancer group (GBG, n=18). The effects of flexi-bar exercise on patients were evaluated in terms of the visual analogue scale (VAS), the shoulder pain and disability index (SPADI), the European organization for the research and treatment of cancer quality of life questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30), the breast cancer specific EORTC quality of life questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-BR23), and range of motion (ROM), all of which were measured pre- and post- intervention followed by evaluation. Results: A significant increase was pain, functional disability level, quality of life, ROM within the two groups (p<.01). There were pain, functional disability level, quality of life, ROM post test then invention were significant between the two groups(p<.01). Conclusion: The flexi-bar exercise has a positive treatment effect on breast cancer patients.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제17권5호
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• pp.2619-2624
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• 2016

Background: Cancer is a worldwide health problem. Arabic countries are also concerned and the burden linked to the pain related to cancer is dsiquieting. The aim of this study is to set the panel of valid tools for assessing the multiple dimensions of pain in arabic speaking countries. Materials and Methods: A systematic review on PubMed, Scopus, and Science Direct databases was conducted using as key words cancer, pain and arabic speaking population. The content of 51 articles was studied and nine articles were retained for their relevance for the issue. Results: We founf eight different questionnaires. MSAS-Leb, EORTC-C30, EORTC-BR23, MDASI, FLIC, and COOP/WONCA are dedicated to physical and psychological dimensions of pain. BPI is centered on direct items for measuring pain accurately. ABQ-II is the unique tool focusing on barriers to cancer pain control. All tools are confirmed valid and reliable in the context studied for assessing pain and disconfort linked to cancer. Conclusions: This panel of questionnaires covers all relevant aims for assessing pain in diferent arabic speaking countries with the recommendation of a cultural adaptation to local arabic languages.

• 중환자간호학회지
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• 제6권1호
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• pp.21-33
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• 2013

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between lymphedema self-care management and quality of life in breast cancer patients with mastectomy and lymphedema. Methods: One hundred and eighty-six breast cancer patients with mastectomy and lymphedema (n=186) were recruited at a medical center located in Seoul. The levels of lymphedema self-care management and quality of life were measured by the scale for measurement of practice in lymphedema self-care management, European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer-Quality of Life Core 30 (EORTC QLQ-C30) and European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer-Quality of Life Questionnaire Breast Cancer Module (EORTC QLQ BR23), respectively. Data were analyzed with SPSS 18.0 program. Results: There were statistically significant correlations between lymphedema self-care management and general health status/quality of life in mastectomy patients with lymphedema (r=.30, p<.001). The physical function score of cancer related function scale (r=-.15, p=.033), fatigue score of cancer related symptom scale (r=.15, p=.036), systemic side effect score of breast cancer related symptom scale (r=.45, p=.034), and upset by hair loss (r=.27, p=.004) were significantly correlated with quality of life. Conclusion: The findings suggest that these significant factors should be considered when caring for lymphedema patients.

• 대한통합의학회지
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• 제9권4호
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• pp.19-28
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• 2021

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to apply manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) and high-frequency diathermy (HFD) to patients with axillary web syndrome (AWS), one of the side effects of breast cancer surgery, and to treat upper extremity pain, volume, function of the upper extremity, (joint range of motion; ROM, disabilities of the arm, shoulder and hand; DASH) and quality of life before and after treatment. It is to determine the effect of treatment by checking the level change. Methods : This study is a case series. A total of 5 patients diagnosed with AWS after breast cancer surgery voluntarily participated in this study. The intervention program consisted of stretching, MLD and HFD. It was conducted 3 times a week for 30 minutes for 4 weeks. In order to compare the effects of pain (numeric pain rating scale; NPRS), volume, upper limb function (ROM, DASH) and quality of life (the European organization for research and treatment of cancer quality of life questionnaire-breast, EORTC QLQ-BR23) evaluations were compared before and after 4 weeks of intervention. All measured variables were analyzed and expressed as mean, standard deviation and percentage. Results : The shoulder NPRS level of the subjects in all case groups decreased, the volume decreased and the shoulder flexion, abduction ROM increased. It showed improvement in DASH and quality of life, QLQ-BR23. Conclusion : After breast cancer surgery, we confirmed the possibility that MLD and HFD treatments could be effective in improving pain, decreasing volume, increasing upper extremity function, and quality of life for patients who have difficulties with AWS. The possibility has been confirmed, and additional research is needed by increasing the number of participants in the experiment in the future.