title: Symptoms, symptom beliefs, and quality of life of older breast cancer survivors: a comparative study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare symptoms, symptom beliefs, and quality of life (QOL) of older breast cancer survivors to those of older women without breast cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  Descriptive, correlational study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Urban and rural communities in the Midwest United States.
  
  
  METHODS
  18 breast cancer survivors and 24 women without breast cancer, older than age 64 (X age = 76 years).
  
  
  METHODS
  In-home interviews using structured instruments.
  
  
  METHODS
  Symptom distress (number of and distress from symptoms), symptom beliefs, chronic health problems, and QOL.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No group differences existed in demographic characteristics, symptom number, symptom bother, chronic health conditions, or QOL. Women in both groups most often attributed the cause of their symptoms to aging, chronic illness, or unknown, but rarely to breast cancer. Attributing symptoms to chronic illness or breast cancer was significantly related to more pain, depression, role impairment, and poorer mental health. Not knowing the cause of symptoms was significantly related to poorer social functioning, mental health, and purpose in life; less energy; and higher levels of depression and anxiety.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The symptom experience and QOL of older breast cancer survivors are similar to those of older women with other chronic health problems. Beliefs about symptoms influence QOL in older women.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A broader assessment of symptoms is needed to assist older breast cancer survivors with symptom management. Symptom interventions in older women should address patients' beliefs about symptoms if QOL is to be enhanced.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, University of Wisconsin--Madison, USA. smheidrich@wisc.edu
authors.forename: Susan M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Heidrich
authors.forename: Judith J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Egan
authors.forename: Pornpat
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Hengudomsub
authors.forename: Shanna M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Randolph
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D003248:Constipation / Q000209:etiology; D005221:Fatigue / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D019584:Hot Flashes / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D015146:Midwestern United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D018908:Muscle Weakness / Q000209:etiology; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology; D011788:Quality of Life; D012016:Reference Values; D012044:Regression Analysis; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015430:Weight Gain; D014987:Xerostomia / Q000209:etiology