Factors That Influence the Quality of Life of Breast Cancer Survivors

PURPOSE: To examine the association of demographic characteristics, depression, anxiety, fatigue, sleep, and cancer treatment options with quality of life (QOL) in BCS. DESIGN: This cross-sectional study included BCS aged 21 years or older who completed adjuvant therapy. The research variables were sleep, fatigue, anxiety, cancer treatment, stage, marital status, race, and the relationship to QOL in BCS. METHODS: The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Scale (PSQS), PROMIS-Anxiety Short Form, PROMIS-Fatigue Short Form, and Quality of Life-Cancer Survivors were used. Data were analyzed using measures of central tendency, correlations, and linear regression. RESULTS: The mean age (N=51) was 57 (SD=8.1) years. Tamoxifen (r = -0.36, P=0.02), aromatase inhibitors (r = -0.48, P=0.00), depression (r = -0.50, P < 0.00), anxiety (r = -0.45, P < 0.00), fatigue (r= -50 <0.00), and race (r = -0.31, P =0.04) were related to QOL. Anxiety (β=-0.51, P<0.001) was predictive of QOL. Age, marriage, cancer stage, surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation were not related to QOL. CONCLUSIONS: Significant associations were found among depression, sleep, race, fatigue, anxiety, and cancer treatment with tamoxifen and aromatase inhibitors and QOL. Anxiety is a predictor of QOL in BCS and must be addressed in ongoing survivorship care.