title: Breast Conserving Therapy and Quality of Life in Thai Females: a Mixed Methods Study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  To explore factors that influence quality of life (QOL) in patients receiving breast conserving therapy (BCT).
  
  
  METHODS
  In this sequential mixed methods study, 118 women from Songklanagarind Hospital were included. We used participants' characteristics, Body Image Scale (BIS), and Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy with the Breast Cancer Subscale (FACT-B) for analysis. The BIS transformed into presence of body image disturbance (BID). Factors that influenced QOL were determined by stepwise multiple linear regression. Forty-one participants were selected for qualitative analysis. Our female researcher performed the semi-structured interviews with questions based on the symbolic interaction theory. Final codes were analysed using thematic analysis along with investigator triangulation methods.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Ninety percent had early stage breast cancer with post-completed BCT, for an average of 2.7 years. The median BIS score and FACT-B score were 2 (IQR=10) and 130 (IQR=39). In the regression analysis, an age of more than 50 years and BID were significant factors. As for the value of conserved breasts, two themes emerged: a conserved breast is an essential part of a participant's life and also the representation of her womanhood; the importance of a breast is related to age.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Body image influenced QOL in post BCT participants. The conserved breasts also lead to positive and better impact on their body image as an essential part of their life.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Songkhla, Thailand E-mail : pthanarpan@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Thanarpan
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Peerawong
authors.forename: Tharin
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Phenwan
authors.forename: Sojirat
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Supanitwatthana
authors.forename: Somrit
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mahattanobon
authors.forename: Chanon
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kongkamol
mesh_terms: D001828:Body Image / Q000523:psychology*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D015412:Mastectomy, Segmental / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011379:Prognosis; D011788:Quality of Life