Health-Related Quality of Life and Patient Satisfaction After Treatment for Breast Cancer in Northern Taiwan
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital-Linkou Medical Center, Taoyuan, Taiwan (China)
- Department of General Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital-Linkou Medical Center, Taoyuan, Taiwan (China)
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital-Linkou Medical Center, Taoyuan, Taiwan (China)
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan (China)
Purpose: To evaluate health-related quality of life (QoL) and attitudes toward surgical procedures for breast cancer among patients in northern Taiwan. Methods and Materials: Two hundred twenty posttreatment breast cancer patients completed a QoL survey at two different hospitals in northern Taiwan. Patients (median age, 49 years; range, 32-69 years) had either undergone mastectomy (n = 157) or breast conservation treatment (BCT) (n 63). The Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Breast questionnaire was used to assess QoL. The patients were also asked about breast reconstruction or use of an artificial breast or not, as well as the decision-making process. Result: There was no significant difference in QoL between patients treated with BCT or mastectomy. Significantly more mastectomy patients had had breast reconstruction or wore an artificial breast (49.7% vs. 3.2%; p < 0.001). Of those who had BCT, 81% would make the same choice again, compared with only 49% of mastectomy patients (p < 0.001). Only 7.6% of patients who made the treatment decision themselves were dissatisfied with their treatment, compared with 25% for whom the decision was made by someone else (p = 0.004). Conclusions: Taiwanese women with breast cancer who had undergone mastectomy did not report a worse QoL than those who received BCT, but they were more likely to be concerned about their resulting body image. Half would have chosen a less extensive procedure if they had it to do over. Women were more likely to be satisfied with the results of their treatment if they had decided themselves.
- OSTI ID:
- 21036197
- Journal Information:
- International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology and Physics, Vol. 69, Issue 1; Other Information: DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2007.02.019; PII: S0360-3016(07)00372-0; Copyright (c) 2007 Elsevier Science B.V., Amsterdam, The Netherlands, All rights reserved; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0360-3016
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Trends and Patterns of Breast Conservation Treatment in Hong Kong: 1994-2007
A Comparison of Patient-Reported Outcomes After Breast-Conserving Surgery and Mastectomy with Implant Breast Reconstruction