Self-Confidence and Quality of Life in Women Undergoing Treatment for Breast Cancer

Document Type : Research Articles

Authors

1 Department of Midwifery, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.

2 Department of Psychiatry,Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.

3 Hematologist-Oncologist at Ghazi Hospital, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.

Abstract

Introduction: Quality of life is an important topic in the study of chronic diseases, especially cancer which can have
a major effect on patient self-confidence. This study was conducted to determine quality of life and its relationship with
self-confidence in women undergoing treatment for breast cancer. Methods: This cross-sectional, descriptive, analytical
study was conducted in 2016 on 166 women with breast cancer undergoing treatment at Ghazi, Al-Zahra, International
and/or Shams hospitals in Tabriz. The subjects were selected through convenience sampling. A personal-demographic
questionnaire, the Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (QLQ-C30), and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES) were
completed for each patient. The data obtained were analyzed using independent t-tests, one-way ANOVA, multivariate
linear regression and Pearson’s correlation coefficients. Findings: The mean total score of quality of life was 59.1±17.4,
ranging from 0 to 100. The highest mean score was obtained in the cognitive subscale (74.9±23.8) and the lowest in the
emotional subscale (51.4±21.1). The mean score for self-confidence was 0.3 with a standard deviation of 0.1, ranging
from -1 to +1. There was a significant positive relationship between self-confidence and quality of life, except in three
symptom subscales for diarrhea, constipation and loss of appetite (P<0.05). Self-confidence, disease duration, lifestyle,
marital satisfaction and caregiver status were among the predictors of quality of life. Discussion: Given the significant
relationship between quality of life and self-confidence, health care providers may need to pay special attention to
women undergoing treatment for breast cancer and perform timely measures to maintain their belief in themselves.

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Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
Volume 19, Issue 3
March 2018
Pages 733-740

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History

  • Receive Date: 26 August 2017
  • Revise Date: 27 September 2017
  • Accept Date: 03 February 2018

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