A Study of Quality of Life in Patients With Breast Cancer on Chemotherapy in Tertiary Care Hospital

Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in women, it accounts for 27% of all cancers in women in India. The survival of cancer becomes more typical in the higher stages. Cancer affects different aspects of Quality of life. Therefore, it is important for the healthcare professionals to know about the impact of breast cancer treatment on patient’s Quality of Life. The aim of this study was to evaluate the Quality of Life in Patients with Breast Cancer on Chemotherapy in Tertiary Care hospital. A Hospital based observational, prospective study was conducted on patients (n=111) with breast cancer on chemotherapy for 6 months in Oncology Department. The data was collected regarding Demographic details, Complaints, Menstrual history, Family history, Marital status and Educational status; interviewed the patient by using FACT-B Questionnaire and scores were allotted from 1 to 4 depend on severity. The statistical tests like “t-test: paired two samples for mean” and Kruskal Walli’s test were conducted to estimate the Quality of Life of the patients. Most of the patients were admitted in hospital of the age group of 31–40 years with lump in the right breast as the common complaint. Breast cancer risk was found more in patients with menopause. Familial history of breast cancer was found in 12 patients. Though they got support as social well-being, but the physical, emotional, functional well-being and breast cancer subscale got affected after the chemotherapy.