Physical, emotional, and social well-being and toxicity assessment in post-mastectomy female breast carcinoma patients undergoing adjuvant treatment
Objective: Breast carcinoma is one of the most common cancers in India. Breast cancer is usually associated with serious side effects due to the long-term treatment procedure. This study investigates how to improve the overall quality of life (QoL) of patients in physical, psychological, and social...
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications
2022-01-01
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| Series: | MGM Journal of Medical Sciences |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.mgmjms.com/article.asp?issn=2347-7946;year=2022;volume=9;issue=3;spage=268;epage=274;aulast=Mallick |
| Summary: | Objective: Breast carcinoma is one of the most common cancers in India. Breast cancer is usually associated with serious side effects due to the long-term treatment procedure. This study investigates how to improve the overall quality of life (QoL) of patients in physical, psychological, and social aspects. Materials and Methods: Records of patients attending the Radiotherapy Outpatient Department (OPD) from May 2019 to June 2021 were analyzed retrospectively. Records of several patients available in the department were reviewed by the census method, which is based on pre-decided inclusion and exclusion criteria. Results: Out of 105 patients included in the study, 38.1% (N=40) of the patients were graduates, and 30.5% (N=32) of the patients were illiterate; 54.3% (N=57) of the patients belong to rural areas. Only 24.8% (N=26) of the patients were employed and the remaining 75.2% (N=79) of the patients were unemployed. However, most of the patients (41.0%) developed grade 1 acute skin toxicity, among which a maximum number of patients (N=47) developed grade1 late skin toxicity. After radiotherapy among all included patients, almost 13.0% of the patients developed arm edema. According to the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale score, the maximum abnormal scores for depression were 60.0% (N=63) and for anxiety 59.0% (N= 62). Conclusion: This study emphasizes that older women and those from lower socio-economic strata tolerated chemotherapy and radiotherapy better. We can also conclude that improved QoL has been a major concern for breast cancer patients undergoing long-term treatment. In a post-treatment setting, serial evaluation of the QoL not only improves the treatment outcome but can also be a prognostic factor. |
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| ISSN: | 2347-7946 2347-7962 |