Quality of Life among Long-Term Breast Cancer Survivors: An Integrative Review

Background: Women breast cancer incidence rate has increased. Early detection and screening with advanced treatment has increased the number of survivors. This emphasis is to address health-related quality of life in this population. Purpose: Examine the specific aspects of QoL that were affected in long-term breast cancer survivors, and to identify the impact of breast cancer treatment on the QoL of women with breast cancer. Method: Published research reports, conducted between 2008 and 2013, were reviewed and included if they described the QoL of breast cancer survivors. Nine quantitative studies were selected. The search strategy included a combination of key words 'quality of life' and 'breast cancer' with: survivors, long-term. The sample sizes ranged from 18 to 348 adult breast cancer patients, aged between 18 and 70 years; mean age is 47 years. The majority of patients have had mastectomy, breastconserving, or contralateral prophylactic mastectomy. Result: Several valid instruments were used to measure QoL in breast cancer patients. (EORTC QLQ-C30) was found to be the most common to measure QoL in breast cancer patients. Most studies reported that long-term survivors of breast cancer experienced good overall QoL. However, almost all studies reported that breast cancer survivors experienced some specific problems. Physical and Psychological factors were found to predict subsequent QoL in breast cancer patients. Conclusion: Holistic care approach is needed for a better understanding of Qol issues among breast cancer survivors. Social and sexual functioning needed more attention.