Quality of Life of Lithuanian Women with Early Stage Breast Cancer
Author Information
Author(s): Bulotiene Giedre, Veseliunas Jonas, Ostapenko Valerijus
Primary Institution: Institute of Oncology, Vilnius University
Hypothesis
The study aims to evaluate changes in the quality of life of Lithuanian women with early stage breast cancer nine months after surgery and its dependence on surgical strategy, adjuvant chemotherapy, and social and demographic status.
Conclusion
Nine months after surgery, the study revealed a worsening of the overall quality of life in both groups of patients – those who had undergone mastectomy and BCT.
Supporting Evidence
- Quality of life scores decreased significantly in both mastectomy and BCT groups nine months after surgery.
- Marital status was a significant determinant of changes in quality of life.
- The mastectomy plus chemotherapy group experienced the worst decline in quality of life.
Takeaway
Women with early stage breast cancer felt worse about their lives nine months after surgery, especially if they had mastectomy and chemotherapy.
Methodology
Seventy-seven patients filled in the FACT-An questionnaire twice: one week and nine months after surgery.
Potential Biases
The patients answered the questionnaires in different settings, which might have influenced their responses.
Limitations
The study had a small number of patients and lacked data about those who did not respond to the questionnaires.
Participant Demographics
The mean age of patients was 53.1 years, with a mix of education levels and marital statuses.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.0006
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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