Impact of Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy on Health-Related Quality of Life in Women with Breast Cancer
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.32635/2176-9745.RBC.2026v72n2.5683Keywords:
Breast Neoplasms/therapy, Neoadjuvant Therapy/adverse effects, Quality of Life, Women's HealthAbstract
Introduction: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT), used in the treatment of breast cancer, may cause symptoms and impair functionality, with repercussions on health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Objective: To evaluate changes in HRQoL over the course of neoadjuvant chemotherapy in women with breast cancer. Method: Prospective cohort study included women diagnosed with breast cancer who were allocated to the control group of a prehabilitation program. HRQoL was assessed before initiation and after completion of NACT using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer questionnaires: Core 30 (EORTC QLQ-C30) and Breast Cancer Module (EORTC QLQ-BR23). Descriptive analyses were performed, and mean scores were compared using the paired t-test. Results: Fifty-one women participated in the study, with a mean age of 52 years. After NACT, significant declines were observed in physical (p=0.001) and sexual function (p=0.016), as well as worsening fatigue (p=0.042) and systemic therapy side effects (p=0.036). Conversely, improvements were found in insomnia (p=0.026), global health status (p=0.048), and breast symptoms (p=0.001). Conclusion: During neoadjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer, women experienced relevant changes in HRQoL, characterized by functional decline and increased systemic symptoms, alongside improvement in breast-related symptoms and global health status, highlighting the importance of continuous HRQoL monitoring throughout treatment.
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