title: The impact of chemotherapy on the quality of life of breast cancer patients.
abstract: One hundred and thirty-seven breast cancer patients, 102 receiving adjuvant chemotherapy and 35 receiving palliative chemotherapy for metastatic disease underwent a 37-item quality-of-life questionnaire to evaluate the impact of disease and treatment on physical, psychological and social well being. Patient groups were designated as follows--Adj CT: patients undergoing the questionnaire during their adjuvant chemotherapy program; Post Adj CT: patients evaluated 3 to 8 months after termination of adjuvant chemotherapy; Mts CT: patients assessed during palliative chemotherapy for metastatic disease, and Post Mts CT: patients 3 to 8 months after termination of palliative chemotherapy. Physical and social activities were reported as unaltered or normal by 64 to 70% and 52 to 67% of patients, respectively. Psychological status was judged normal by 39 to 45% of patients. No significant differences were observed between the patients groups. In 83 to 90% of cases the patient normally took care of herself. In 62 to 87% of cases time dedicated to recreational activities was reported as unaltered. The majority of patients (84%) judged that their relationship with partner and/or family were good. Severe anxiety was reported in 19 to 28% of patients and severe depression was infrequent (3.9%). Information regarding disease and treatment given by health professionals was considered satisfactory by 80 to 100% of patients.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Oncology, Istituto Nazionale per la Ricerca sul Cancro, Genova, Italy.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Campora
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Naso
authors.forename: M T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Vitullo
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Giudici
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Camoirano
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Repetto
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rosso
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology* / Q000601:surgery; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000523:psychology*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents