Health-Related Quality of Life of Breast Cancer Patients: Integrative Literature Review

Abstract

Introduction: Breast cancer can change the health-related quality of life of patients. Objective: To understand the impact of chemotherapy for breast cancer on the health-related quality of life of patients. Method: Integrative review of the literature, comprising articles published between 2007 and 2019, available in PubMed, LILACS and SciELO databases. It were analyzed 25 articles. Results: The questionnaires most frequently used in the studies were the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Core Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30) and the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Breast Cancer-specific Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-BR23) complementary module. In relation to changes in the quality of life, the global health diminishes during chemotherapy, but may improve after the end of the treatment. The increase of the symptoms is reported in several studies and have impaired the patients’ health-related quality of life. However, symptoms decrease after chemotherapy ends, except in some scales. Body image, sexual function and physical functioning scales get worse throughout the treatment. Mental/psychological quality of life has oscillations during treatment, as does the scale on social relationships. Conclusion: The health-related quality of life of women with breast cancer is negatively affected by chemotherapy treatment, causing major impact in the scales of symptoms.