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Improving the Quality of Life of Breast Cancer Survivors

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A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601). This special issue belongs to the section "Health Care Sciences & Services".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 January 2023) | Viewed by 15703

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Rocio Guil Bozal

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Guest Editor

Department of Psychology, University of Cádiz, 11519 Cádiz, Spain
Interests: emotional intelligence; quality of life; health emotional regulation

Dr. Paloma Gil-Olarte

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Guest Editor

Department of Psychology, University of Cádiz, 11519 Cádiz, Spain
Interests: emotional intelligence; development of emotional competencies; social adaptation and well-being; emotional skills and conflict management

Dr. Rocío Gómez Molinero

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Guest Editor

Department of Psychology, University of Cádiz, 11519 Cádiz, Spain
Interests: emotional intelligence; quality of life; psychosocial and emotional factors

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Breast cancer is the most common neoplasia among women, annually affecting 2.1 million worldwide. Both the diagnosis and the adjuvant treatments administered impact not only the physical but also the mental health and quality of life of the patients who suffer from it. Multidisciplinary evaluations of the quality of life will allow providing quality healthcare attention to the health status of patients during this chronic disease, identifying associated comorbidities and offering more individualized assistance.

This Special Issue is intended to propose new approaches regarding the psychological and medical factors that affect the mental and physical health and quality of life of patients and survivors of breast cancer to develop novel intervention proposals that improve the quality-of-life levels and health status of this clinical population.

Dr. Rocío Guil Bozal
Dr. Paloma Gil-Olarte
Dr. Rocío Gómez Molinero
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

breast cancer
quality of life
mental health
physical health
healthcare
clinical interventions
psychological interventions

Published Papers (6 papers)

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20 pages, 2251 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Efficacy of a 4-Week Nurse-Led Exercise Rehabilitation Program in Improving the Quality of Life in Women Receiving a Post-Mastectomy Reconstruction Using the Motiva Ergonomix^TM Round SilkSurface

by Jung Joong Kang, Hyunho Lee, Bom Hui Park, Yu Kwan Song, Soon Eun Park, Robert Kim and Kyung Ah Lee

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(1), 16; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20010016 - 20 Dec 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2554

Abstract

We assessed the efficacy of a 4-week nurse-led exercise rehabilitation (ER) program in improving the quality of life (QOL) of breast cancer survivors (BCS) receiving an implant-based breast reconstruction. The eligible patients were equally randomized to either of both groups: the intervention group (n = 30; a 4-week nurse-led ER program) and the control group (n = 30; a 4-week physical therapist-supervised one). Both after a 4-week ER program and at baseline, the patients were evaluated for the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30 (EORTC QLQ-C30) and Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) scores. There was a significantly higher degree of increase in global health status/QOL scores, physical functioning scores, role functioning scores, and emotional functioning scores at 4 weeks from baseline in the intervention group as compared with the control group (p = 0.001). However, there was a significantly higher degree of decrease in fatigue scores, nausea/vomiting scores, pain scores, dyspnea scores, and FSS scores in the intervention group as compared with the control group (p = 0.001). In conclusion, our results indicate that a 4-week nurse-led ER program might be effective in the QOL in BCS receiving a post-mastectomy implant-based reconstruction using the Motiva Ergonomix^TM Round SilkSurface. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Improving the Quality of Life of Breast Cancer Survivors)

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12 pages, 691 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Assessing the Expression of Emotions in Breast Cancer Survivors during the Time of Recovery: Perspective from Focus Groups

by Leticia Sanchez, Nelida Fernandez, Angela P. Calle, Valentina Ladera, Ines Casado, Enrique Bayon, Isaias Garcia and Ana M. Sahagun

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(15), 9672; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19159672 - 5 Aug 2022

Viewed by 2288

Abstract

Breast cancer has major public health implications, as it is the most frequent malignant tumor and the leading cause of cancer death in women. Survivors have many needs, including strategies to cope with the associated distress. We explore whether focus groups are useful for nurses to obtain information about the emotional state of breast cancer women, and develop strategies for coping with the stress that this disease entails. A qualitative study was carried out, involving 25 focus groups with 83 women treated for breast cancer, recruited from the local Breast Cancer Association (ALMOM). Four open-ended questions were employed, and 60-min discussions were carried out. They were transcribed, analyzed, coded, and the themes identified. Four major themes emerged, including “complex emotional evolution”, “emotional isolation”, “lack of information” and “inability to give advice”. Women admitted that this disease had been a stressful factor for them, causing emotional (anxiety, irritability, anger or guilt) and cognitive disorders (confusion, lack of concentration, forgetfulness). The use of focus groups in breast cancer survivors allows nurses to evaluate the expression of emotions in these women, and collect and share information about their feelings, thoughts and experiences, so that survivors can cope more easily with the stress related to their illness. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Improving the Quality of Life of Breast Cancer Survivors)

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16 pages, 1187 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Idiosyncratic Profile of Perceived Emotional Intelligence and Post-Traumatic Growth in Breast Cancer Survivors: Findings of a Multiple Mediation Model

by Rocío Guil, Paula Ruiz-González, Lucía Morales-Sánchez, Rocío Gómez-Molinero and Paloma Gil-Olarte

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(14), 8592; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19148592 - 14 Jul 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1957

Abstract

Psycho-oncology research suggests that positive personal changes can occur after experiencing breast cancer. These changes can be understood as post-traumatic growth (PTG) and seem to be determined by emotional self-efficacy perception. This study aims to investigate the existence of different profiles of PTG and perceived emotional intelligence (PEI) among breast cancer survivors (BCSs) and healthy controls. Moreover, it aims to study the mechanisms through which PEI may mediate the relationship between disease survival and PTG. The total sample was 636 women divided into two groups: 56 BCS and 580 healthy controls who completed TMMS-24 and PTGI. The results displayed that BCSs apparently show a different profile of PTG and PEI compared to healthy women. The mediation analyses showed that survivorship explained 1.9% of PTG, increasing to 26.5% by the effect of PEI. An indirect effect showed that cancer survival predicts reduced levels of emotional attention, decreasing PTG. However, the most statistical indirect effect evidenced that BCSs regulate their emotions appropriately, having a powerful effect on PTG and counteracting the negative effects of poor emotional attention. Knowing the implications of PEI on PTG could improve follow-up from the time of diagnosis and supporting the patient to cope with the sequelae of the disease. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Improving the Quality of Life of Breast Cancer Survivors)

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12 pages, 355 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Impact of Immediate and Delayed Breast Reconstruction on Quality of Life of Breast Cancer Patients

by Stana Pačarić, Želimir Orkić, Marko Babić, Nikolina Farčić, Andrea Milostić-Srb, Robert Lovrić, Ivana Barać, Štefica Mikšić, Jasenka Vujanić, Tajana Turk, Zvjezdana Gvozdanović, Dragica Pavlović, Nika Srb and Ivana Pačarić

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(14), 8546; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19148546 - 13 Jul 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2107

Abstract

A mastectomy affects the psychological, social, and sexual well-being of patients. Research has confirmed that breast reconstruction is important for improving the quality of life in patients with breast cancer. The aim of this study was to assess the quality of life of patients who underwent a mastectomy followed by immediate or delayed breast reconstruction. This prospective study was conducted from January 2018 to March 2020 at the Clinical Hospital Center Osijek, using the health questionnaire SF-36. The study included 79 patients. The results of the study showed that patients who underwent a mastectomy had the lowest scores in the domain of restriction due to physical difficulties, 18.8 (6.3–31.3), in physical functioning and limitation due to emotional difficulties, 16.7 (8.3–33.3), in mental health. In immediate breast reconstruction, patients rated better physical health (p < 0.001), while patients who underwent delayed breast reconstruction rated their mental health worse (p < 0.001) as measured by the SF-36 questionnaire. Conclusion: The results of this study show that patients without breast reconstruction rated their quality of life worse than patients who underwent immediate and delayed breast reconstruction after mastectomy. There is no difference in the quality of life between patients who underwent immediate and delayed breast reconstruction after mastectomy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Improving the Quality of Life of Breast Cancer Survivors)

10 pages, 710 KiB

Open AccessArticle

General Health and Resilience of Breast Cancer Patients: The Mediator Role of Affective Well-Being

by M. Victoria Cerezo, Ana Álvarez-Olmo and Pilar Rueda

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(9), 5398; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19095398 - 28 Apr 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2322

Abstract

A considerable percentage of breast cancer patients present adequate psychological adjustment and do not become distressed after a breast cancer diagnosis, or, if they do, they manage to recover quickly, which is reflected in their general health. This study aims to determine the role of some psychological mechanisms that affect psycho-oncological adjustment, specifically, resilience and well-being, in a sample of 109 breast cancer patients. For this purpose, participants completed questionnaires on general health, resilience, and well-being (life satisfaction and affect). Correlation analyses and a multiple mediation model were carried out. The results revealed that Pearson correlations between all variables showed strong associations between general health scores and positive and negative affect scores, and moderate associations with life satisfaction and resilience scores. Furthermore; in the mediation model, the total percentage of variance explained by the overall model was 55% (R² = 0.55), where resilience was associated with positive and negative affect, and that influenced general health. These results show that affective well-being is especially relevant in breast cancer patients in terms of its mediating role in resilience, making it clear that an appropriate intervention focused on managing patients’ affective status can have a favorable impact on their overall health. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Improving the Quality of Life of Breast Cancer Survivors)

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25 pages, 764 KiB

Open AccessSystematic Review

The Role of Emotion-Related Abilities in the Quality of Life of Breast Cancer Survivors: A Systematic Review

by Ilaria Durosini, Stefano Triberti, Lucrezia Savioni, Valeria Sebri and Gabriella Pravettoni

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(19), 12704; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph191912704 - 4 Oct 2022

Cited by 28 | Viewed by 3330

Abstract

Breast cancer survivors have to deal with notable challenges even after successful treatment, such as body image issues, depression and anxiety, the stress related to changes in lifestyle, and the continual challenges inherent to health management. The literature suggests that emotional abilities, such as emotional intelligence, emotion management, mood repair, and coping play a fundamental role in such challenges. We performed a systematic review to systematize the evidence available on the role of emotional abilities in quality of life and health management in breast cancer survivors. The search was performed on three scientific databases (Pubmed, Scopus, and PsycINFO) and, after applying exclusion criteria, yielded 33 studies, mainly of a cross-sectional nature. The results clearly support the hypothesis that emotional abilities play multiple important roles in breast cancer survivors’ quality of life. Specifically, the review highlighted that coping/emotional management plays multiple roles in breast cancer survivors’ well-being and health management, affecting vitality and general adjustment to cancer positivity and promoting benefit findings related to the cancer experience; however, rare negative results exist in the literature. This review highlights the relevance of emotional abilities to promoting quality of life in breast cancer survivors. Future review efforts may explore other breast cancer survivors’ emotional abilities, aiming at assessing available instruments and proposing tailored psychological interventions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Improving the Quality of Life of Breast Cancer Survivors)

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