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

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. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.