EMOTIONAL AND SOCIAL FUNCTIONING ASPECTS OF WOMEN UNDERGOING CHEMOTHERAPY AND MASTECTOMY WITH VARIED TIME ELAPSES FROM TREATMENT COMPLETION

Background: The aim of the study was a comparison of two groups of women who had suffered from breast cancer in the past, selected on the basis of the time that had elapsed since treatment completion (<7 and >7 years). The specific areas of interest were the quality of life, sense of control, and level of depression. Material/Methods: Results from 37 women were analysed. The average age in the research sample was 57. The study was conducted with the use of EORTC QLQ-C30, MHLC, and the Depression Assessment Questionnaire. Results: Women for whom the time elapse since the completion of anticancer treatment was no more than 7 years have a more negative assessment of the quality of life aspects, that is physical and social functioning, in comparison to persons in whose case the adaptation time to changes, following cancer and treatment, was longer (more than 7 years). Those with a shorter period elapsed since the completion of anticancer therapy hold stronger beliefs concerning their own influence on their health in comparison to women who have not undergone oncological treatment for at least 7 years. The author's own research highlights a trend pertaining to differences in the intensity of experiencing guilt and anxiety between the groups. However, it requires further research involving a larger study group. Conclusions: Despite the progress in the diagnostics and treatment of breast cancer, patients with this type of cancer still experience longterm subjective difficulties in areas making up their physical, mental, and social well-being. The research illustrates the differences in the functioning of women depending on the time that has elapsed since the completion of anticancer treatment.