The value of quality of life and health status measurements in the evaluation of the well-being of breast cancer survivors

Abstract 

Background

Quality of life (QoL) in breast cancer survivors has become increasingly important. However, QoL is often assessed using a questionnaire meant to assess health status (HS). In this study the differences in outcomes between a HS and QoL questionnaire are shown and the correlation between both questionnaires is assessed.

Methods

From the 140 breast cancer survivors that participated in the study, 68 received breast conserving therapy (BCT) and 72 were treated with mastectomy (MTC). HS was measured using the RAND-36 and QoL was assessed with the WHOQOL-100. Scores were compared with healthy reference populations.

Results

The scores on QoL in both treatment groups were comparable to those of healthy women. HS scores showed lower physical functioning and general health perceptions for the MTC women. Pearson correlations between both questionnaires ranged between 0.19 and 0.75. Thus, the results of both questionnaires were not interchangeable.

Conclusion

A HS questionnaire reflects functional impairments and reveals different areas of concern compared with a QoL questionnaire. The latter reflects the (dis)satisfaction of a patient and this seems not to mirror the functional limitations. Assessment of both objective functioning and subjective appraisal of functioning will result in treatment suggestions that meet the patients needs.

Keywords: Breast cancer survivors, Quality of life, Health status, Surgical treatment