Quality of Life in Patients Carrying Breast Neoplasms Submitted to Chemotherapy

Abstract

Breast cancer is a frightening experience for women and, for most, diagnosis of this disease can evoke feelings like grief, anger and fear, and it impacts the patient’s quality of life due to its treatment, which often leads to physical, emotional, spiritual, economical and social discomfort. This paper assesses the impact of chemotherapy on the quality of life of women with breast neoplastic disorders, through a cross-sectional analysis of data acquired from questionnaires EORTIC QLQ-C30 and QLQ-BR23, in a total of 21 patients at various stages of malignant breast neoplastic disease in different cycles of chemotherapy drugs under protocols FAC, AC, docetaxel, CMF, paclitaxel, irinotecan and CDDP / GEMCIT. This paper is relevant to the extent that understanding their quality of life reflects in the overall assistance and for a better evolution of a patient under anticancer treatment. This study addressed the possible impacts that breast cancer has on the quality of life of women affected and the influence of potential moderating variables, such as chemotherapy modality, surgery, age and marital status. As for participating women, the highest impacts were perceived in sexual function, emotional functioning, financial difficulties, as well as the appearance of pain, fatigue, nausea and vomiting, whose results varied according to the categories mentioned. This knowledge reflects the ethical principle of providing care while minimizing the harm resulting from a therapeutic process.