Quality of Life of Breast and Gynaecological Cancer Survivors Undergoing Chemotherapy Treatment

Although survival rates for breast cancer (BC) and gynaecological cancer (GC) patients have experienced advancement in medical care overtime resulting in improved survival rates. However, due to long-term treatment, they now face ongoing challenges related to treatment side effects that affect their quality of life (QOL). The current study focuses on the variables affecting QOL in women with BC and GC who are undergoing chemotherapy treatment.

In this cross-sectional study, a sample of 199 women with BC and GC participated. To understand each domain of life, WHOQOL-BREF (World health organization Quality of life—BREF version) questionnaire was used to assess QOL. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to examine how various demographic, socio-economic, and cancer related factors influence overall QOL.

The overall QOL score was 56.3 ± 13.4, with 61% of women experiencing poor QOL. Physical health (49.0 ± 34.2) and psychological (52.6 ± 29.7) domains had lower scores than social and environmental domains. While the environment domain was the most influential domain in shaping the overall QOL (r = 0.866). Women over the age of 50 were significantly 10 times more likely to have negative QOL. Women in rural areas (β =  − 10.29) also had a significantly lower QOL score than those living in urban areas.

The present study found that women with BC and GC had a moderate QOL. Higher age, residing at rural areas, lack of formal education and higher stage were all negatively associated with QOL. A holistic public health approach, incorporating social, economical, and environmental support, is required to improve the QOL for BC and GC survivors.