The Influencing Factors on Quality of Life among Breast Cancer Survivors

Yoon Sun Kim; Young Sook Tae

doi:10.5388/jkon.2011.11.3.221

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Kim and Tae: The Influencing Factors on Quality of Life among Breast Cancer Survivors

Original Article

Journal of Korean Oncology Nursing

Journal of Korean Oncology Nursing 2011; 11(3): 221-228.

Published online: 30 November 2011

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5388/jkon.2011.11.3.221

The Influencing Factors on Quality of Life among Breast Cancer Survivors

Yoon Sun Kim¹, Young Sook Tae²

¹Nurse, Dongnam inst. of Radiological & Medical Sciences Cancer Center, Busan, Korea.

²Professor, College of Nursing, Kosin University, Busan, Korea.

Address reprint requests to: Kim, Yoon Sun. College of Nursing, Kosin University, 34 Amnam-dong, Seo-gu, Busan 603-703, Korea. Tel: +82-51-990-6446, Fax: +82-51-990-3031, taehope@kosin.ac.kr

Received 30 September 2011 Accepted 31 October 2011

Abstract

Purpose

This study was aimed to identify the influencing factors on the quality of life among breast cancer survivors.

Methods

The subjects were 159 female patients who visited out-patient department (OPD) after the mass removal surgery for breast cancer and had completed adjuvant treatments such as chemotherapy, radiation therapy at a university hospital and a general hospital. Data collection was conducted using the Ferrell QOL scale, the Mishel uncertainty scale, the Fitts & Osgoods body image scale revised by Jeon & Kim. the Rosenberg self-esteem scale, and the Kang family support scale.

Results

The level of QOL in the participants was in the middle. There were a significant correlation between QOL, uncertainty, self-esteem, and family support. There were significant differences in QOL with the perceived health condition and the best support person. In a regression analysis, the most powerful predictor of QOL was body image (21.7%). Altogether uncertainty and perceived health condition explained 28.6% of the variance of QOL of the participants.

Conclusion

Body image, uncertainty, and perceived health condition were important predictors of QOL. These results demonstrated the need for developing interventions to improve QOL of breast cancer survivors.

Keywords: Breast Cancer Survivors, Quality of Life

Figures and Tables

Table 1

General characteristics (N=159)

Table 2

Means and standard deviation of QOL, uncertainty, body image, self esteem, and family support (N=159)

Table 3

QOL on general characteristics (N=159)

Table 4

Correlation among uncertainty, body image, self-esteem, family support and QOL (N=159)

Table 5

Stepwise multiple regression analysis on QOL (N=159)

^*Dummy Variable.

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