title: Quality of life in patients with breast cancer and their rehabilitation needs.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We conducted a cross sectional study to investigate the quality of life (QOL) in breast cancer patients after treatment for one year and identify factors which may facilitate improvements in health care for breast cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 154 patients of breast cancer were collected from The First Affiliated Hospital of Harerbin Medical University during May 2008 and May 2010, and they were divided into three groups. The quality of life was assessed by Functional assessment of cancer therapy- breast (FACT-B) version 4, and a semi-structured interview was used to investigate the information and rehabilitation needs of the breast cancer patients. Results : Group II had the best social well-being, functional well-being and Total FACT-G among the three groups. Group III had the best physical well-being, emotional well-being, breast specific subscales, total FACT-B and TOI among the three groups. Higher PWB scores were significantly correlation with lower tumor stage; increased SWB scores were significantly correlated with education and occupation, and lower EWB scores were correlated with younger aged women and higher tumor stage (< 40 years). The semi-structured investigation showed all of them want to receive tumor markers detection and PET scan to prevent recurrence. 56% of these patients were worried about symptoms. 42% of the patients reported they had restriction in sexual relationship, and 57% wanted to improve their body image and reconstruction surgery.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Breast cancer patients should be followed up for their quality of life and provided effective therapy for their physical and psychological problems.
authors.affiliation: Chen Hong-li, Nursing Department, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harerbin Medical University, Harerbin, China.
authors.forename: Chen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hong-Li
authors.affiliation: Wang Xiao-chun, Nursing Department, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harerbin Medical University, Harerbin, China.
authors.forename: Wang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Xiao-Chun
authors.affiliation: Wang Jiang-bin, Nursing Department, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harerbin Medical University, Harerbin, China.
authors.forename: Wang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Jiang-Bin
authors.affiliation: Zhang Jing-bo, The Stomach and Spleen Portal Hypertension Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harerbin Medical University, Harerbin, China.
authors.forename: Zhang
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Jing-Bo
authors.affiliation: Wang Yao, Nurse Practitioner, Experimental Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harerbin Medical University, Harerbin, China.
authors.forename: Wang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Yao
keywords: Breast cancer; FACT-B; Quality of life; Semi-structured interview