Quality of Life, Anxiety, and Oncological Factors: A Follow-Up Study of Breast Cancer Patients

Background: The number of long-term survivors of breast cancer has increased over recent decades because of many treatment advances. Thus, long-term quality of life (QoL) and factors affecting it are of growing research interest. Objective: The authors investigated longitudinal changes in QoL and anxiety in breast cancer patients and differences in QoL and anxiety in various oncological subgroups. Method: A group of 236 women with a primary diagnosis of breast cancer or carcinoma in-situ completed questionnaires after surgical treatment, 6 months, and 12 months post-surgery. Results: QoL scores of breast cancer patients improved over time, but impairments in terms of anxiety, body image, and sexual functioning were still observed. Younger patients were more likely to be distressed by cancer diagnosis and treatment. Discussion: Surgical modality and tumor prognostic factors, however, seemed to play a minor role in patients' subjective QoL, which is discussed in terms of the "well-being paradox." (Psychosomatics 2010; 51:112-123)