Quality of life and its relation with perceived stress and self-esteem in women under breast cancer treatment

Introduction: Breast cancer is the most diagnosed malignancy all over the world. Side effects of treatment in women can affect the life quality. Changes in life quality creates negative emotions and stress, and selfconfidence among patients. The aim in this research was to investigate life quality in women under breast cancer treatment and its relation with perceived stress and self-confidence. Methods: this descriptive-cross-sectional study was conducted in 2016 for all women with breast cancer under treatment in Tabriz. 166 research samples were available. Data collecting tools included personalsocial questionnaire, Quality Of Life Questionnaire QLQ – C30), Cohen s Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and Rosenberg´s Self–Esteem Scale (RSES). Results: The mean score for life quality was 59.1±17.4. The mean score for perceived stress and selfesteem were 32.9±5.2 and 0.4±0.3 respectively, which the stress of the patients was higher than average while the self-esteem of the patients was good. Conclusion: It seems that supportive and special attention to increasing life quality, decreasing stress and maintaining self-esteem by healthcare officials is required.

Keywords:

breast cancer , life quality , perceived stress , self-esteem