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Comparative Study
. 2008 Nov;17(11):1108-20.
doi: 10.1002/pon.1329.

Applying a conceptual model for examining health-related quality of life in long-term breast cancer survivors: CALGB study 79804

Electra D Paskett  1 , James E Herndon 2nd, Jeannette M Day, Nancy N Stark, Eric P Winer, Stephen S Grubbs, Michael D Pavy, Charles L Shapiro, Marcy A List, Martee L Hensley, Michelle A Naughton, Alice B Kornblith, Karleen R Habin, Gini F Fleming, Marisa A Bittoni; Cancer and Leukemia Group B
Affiliations
Comparative Study

Applying a conceptual model for examining health-related quality of life in long-term breast cancer survivors: CALGB study 79804

Electra D Paskett et al. Psychooncology. 2008 Nov.

Abstract

Objectives: The Survivor's Health and Reaction study used a quality-of-life model adapted for cancer survivors by Dow and colleagues to identify factors related to global health-related quality of life (HRQL) and to document the prevalence of problems and health-oriented behaviors in a follow-up study of breast cancer patients who participated in CALGB 8541.

Methods: A total of 245 survivors (78% of those invited) who were 9.4-16.5 years post-diagnosis completed surveys that inquired about current HRQL, economic, spiritual, physical and psychosocial concerns, and health-oriented behaviors (e.g. smoking, exercise, and supplement use). A regression model was developed to examine factors related to global HRQL across all domains.

Results: The regression model revealed that decreased energy levels (odds ratio (OR)=1.05, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.03, 1.07), having heart disease (OR=5.01, 95% CI: 1.39, 18.1), having two or more co-morbidities (OR=2.39, 95% CI: 1.10, 5.19), and lower social support (OR=1.03, 95% CI: 1.02, 1.05) were associated with lower global HRQL. Factors related to psychological, spiritual, and economic domains were not predictive of global HRQL. Regarding lifestyle changes, some women reported engaging in health-oriented behaviors since their cancer diagnosis, such as improving eating habits (54%), increasing exercise (32%), and reducing/quitting smoking (20%). The most prevalent problems reported by women at follow-up were menopausal symptoms (64%), such as hot flashes and vaginal dryness, osteoporosis (25%), and lymphedema (23%).

Conclusion: Suggestions are provided to target interventions, such as provider-based strategies, in order to improve HRQL in long-term breast cancer survivors.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Accrual/Eligibility to SHARE aThere were 618 potentially eligible patients bThere were 331 eligible patients
Figure 2
Figure 2
Quality of Life Model Adapted for Breast Cancer Survivors* *adapted from Dow et al.(9) and Ferrell et al. (14)
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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