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Population-based study of the relationship of treatment and sociodemographics on quality of life for early stage breast cancer

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Abstract

Objective: To examine the relationship between cancer stage, surgical treatment and chemotherapy on quality of life (QOL) after breast cancer and determine if sociodemographic characteristics modify the observed relationships. Methods: A population-based sample of women with Stages 0–II breast cancer in the United States (N=1357) completed surveys including the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30), and the Breast Cancer-Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire (QLQ BR-23). Regression models calculated mean QOL scores across primary surgical treatment and chemotherapy. Clinically significant differences in QOL were defined as 10 point difference (out of 100) between groups. Results: Meaningful differences in QOL by surgical treatment were limited to body image with women receiving mastectomy with reconstruction reporting lower scores than women receiving breast conserving surgery (p < 0.001). Chemotherapy lowered QOL scores overall across four QOL dimensions (p values < 0.001), with a disproportionately greater impact on those with lower levels of education. Younger women reported lower QOL scores for seven of nine QOL dimensions (p values < 0.001). Conclusions: Women should be reassured that few QOL differences exist based on surgical treatment, however, clinicians should recognize that the impact of treatment on QOL does vary by a woman’s age and educational level.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Health Behavior and Health Education, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, 1420 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-2029

    Nancy K. Janz

  2. Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, 109 Observatory, SPH I, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-2029

    Mahasin Mujahid

  3. Department of Health Management and Policy, University of Michigan, SPH II, Room M3116, 109 Observatory, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-2029

    Paula M. Lantz & Steven J. Katz

  4. Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Health System, 300 North Ingalls Building, NIB 7C-3A12, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-0429

    Angela Fagerlin, Barbara Salem & Steven J. Katz

  5. Veterans Affairs, Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, MI

    Angela Fagerlin & Steven J. Katz

  6. Department of Surgical Oncology, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA

    Monica Morrow

  7. Department of Preventive Medicine, KECK School of Medicine, University of Southern California, U.S.A

    Dennis Deapen

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  1. Nancy K. Janz
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  2. Mahasin Mujahid
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  4. Angela Fagerlin
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  8. Steven J. Katz
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Correspondence to Nancy K. Janz.

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Janz, N.K., Mujahid, M., Lantz, P.M. et al. Population-based study of the relationship of treatment and sociodemographics on quality of life for early stage breast cancer. Qual Life Res 14, 1467–1479 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11136-005-0288-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11136-005-0288-6

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