symptom experience and quality of life of women with breast cancer who following breast cancer treatment

Introduction: Cancer treatment, have a negative impact on patients quality of life (QOL). While cancer survivors may be disease-free, their cancer diagnosis has ongoing physical and psychosocial implications for their lives and well-being. Considering QOL in patients with breast cancer is an important outcome assessing. This study presents an extensive overview on physical implications and treatment disadvantages in breast cancer patients and its effect on QOL. Material and methods: We searched the PubMed, Google Scholar, BMC journal, Cochrane library, and Uptodate databases and the keywords were breast cancer, survivors, quality of life and treatment. Findings: The problems resulting from breast cancer and its treatment are varied and complex. Mastectomy: resulted in lower body image, sexual functioning, physical limitations interfering with the psychological and social functioning, which in turn adversely affected QoL. Systemic therapies: breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy might experience several side-effects and symptoms that negatively affect their quality of life. They had poor QoL outcomes in physical, social, psychosocial, and sexual aspects. Adjuvant hormonal therapies: also were found to have similar negative impact on quality of life, although in general they were associated with improved survival. Symptoms: Pain, fatigue, arm morbidity, postmenopausal and vasomotor symptoms (hot flashes, dyspareunia, vaginal dryness) were among the most common symptoms reported by breast cancer patients. Appetite loss, swelling, numbness, constipation, weight gain, breast symptoms, sleep disturbance, lymphedema, physical inactivity, altered sexual function and difficulty with bladder control are other symptoms in these patients which resulted in poor QoL. As recommended, recognition and management of these symptoms is an important issue since such symptoms impair health-related quality of life. Sexual functioning: breast cancer patients especially younger patients suffer from poor sexual functioning that negatively affect quality of life. chemotherapy, total mastectomy, emotional distress consequent on an unsatisfactory sexual life, and difficulties with partners because of sexual relationships. Physical Activity had beneficial effects on health, physical strength, and sexuality. Conclusions: More attention to the reduction and management of disease and treatment-related symptoms could improve QOL among women with breast cancer.

Keywords:

breast cancer , quality of life , treatment