Cosmetic Outcomes and Quality of Life in Thai Women Post Breast Conserving Therapy for Breast Cancer.

Abstract

PURPOSE:

To evaluate the correlation between cosmetic outcome (CO), body image, and quality of life in post breast-conserving therapy (BCT) women.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

This cross-sectional study concerned one-year post-completed BCT Thai women. The data included subjective and objective CO with a questionnaire covering demographic and clinical data, anti-hormonal treatment status, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status, Self-Reported Cosmetic Outcomes (SRCO), Self-Reported Breast Symmetry (SRBS), Body Image Scale (BIS), and the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy with Breast Cancer subscale (FACT-B). Participants had breast photographs taken for the evaluation of objective cosmetic outcome (OCO) after breast cancer conservation treatment. The relationship between CO and FACT-B was tested using Spearman's rank correlation Results: A total 127 participants volunteered for the study. The participant characteristics were age 52(±9), Buddhist 87%, married 65%, body mass index 25.0(±4.6), breast cup size A-C 91%, college educated 60%, employed 66%, ECOG 0-1 95%, tumor size less than or equal to 2 cm 55%, no lymph node metastasis 98%, and taking tamoxifen 57%. Two percent of the participants regretted their decision to undergo BCT. The SRCO was excellent in 2%, good in 68%, fair in 30%, and poor in 0%. For SRBS, rates were 17%, 58%, 24% and 1% for excellent, good, fair and poor cosmetic outcomes, respectively. The BCCT scores were excellent 24%, good 39%, fair 32%, and poor 6%. The median total QOL score of the participants was 130 (93-144). There was no significant correlation between CO and FACT-B scores.

CONCLUSIONS:

The significance of CO for FACT-B in Thai women with breast cancer could not be assessed in detail because of a very low level of correlation. The results may be due to the effects of cultural background.

• Authors: Peerawong Thanarpan, Mahattanobon Somrit, Jiratrachu Rungarun, Rordlamool Paytai, Sangtawan Duangjai, Kongkamol Chanon, Puttawibul Puttisak
• Journal: Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention : APJCP (Asian Pac J Cancer Prev) Vol. 16 Issue 11 Pg. 4685-90 ( 2015) ISSN: 2476-762X [Electronic] Thailand
• PMID: 26107224 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Topics

• Body Image (psychology)
• Breast Neoplasms (psychology, surgery)
• Cross-Sectional Studies
• Esthetics
• Female
• Follow-Up Studies
• Humans
• Mastectomy, Segmental
• Middle Aged
• Prognosis
• Quality of Life
• Surveys and Questionnaires
• Thailand