Epidemiological Assessment Of Quality Of Life In Women With Breast Cancer Undergoing Chemotherapy In Qazvin, Iran

Background and Aims: Breast cancer (BC) is a major health concern in Iran, representing a significant proportion of cancer cases and mortality rates. This study aimed to evaluate the quality of life (QoL) in women undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer at a specialized cancer hospital in Qazvin, Iran.Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with a convenience sample of ۵۰ women aged ۱۸ years or older, diagnosed with breast cancer at any stage and undergoing chemotherapy from the second cycle. Data were collected using a demographic questionnaire and the Persian version of the Quality of Life Questionnaire for Breast Cancer − ۲۳ (QLQ-BR۲۳), which was validated for use in Iranian populations.Results: The findings indicated that emotional functioning was the most significantly affected aspect of QoL. Additionally, chemotherapy adversely impacted cognitive functions, including working memory and organizational skills (mean score = ۲۲.۹). The most frequently reported symptoms included insomnia (mean score = ۱۳.۵), fatigue (۱۲.۴), and loss of appetite (۱۱.۶). The mean score for side effects was recorded at ۱۷.۳, indicating that many women experienced considerable side effects from chemotherapy, alongside diminished sexual satisfaction.Conclusion: This study highlights the substantial impact of chemotherapy on various dimensions of quality of life in women with breast cancer in Iran. It emphasizes the necessity for targeted interventions to address the psychological and physical challenges faced by these patients during treatment.

کلیدواژه ها:

: Breast cancer ، quality of life ، chemotherapy ، emotional functioning ، side effects