Document Type : Research Articles
Authors
1
HOPE School of Nursing, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.
2
Nursing Campus Maharajgunj, Institute of Medicine, Tribhuwan University, Kathmandu, Nepal.
3
Department of Gynecological Oncology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.
4
Chiang Mai University, Faculty of Nursing, Chiang Mai, Thailand.
5
Nepal Cancer Hospital and Research Centre, Department of Surgical Oncology, Lalitpur, Nepal.
Abstract
Introduction: Worldwide breast cancer is the common invasive cancer among the females. The quality of life of
women after treatment, which is often a mastectomy, is frequently decreased. Objective: To determine the life quality
of Nepalese women post mastectomy. Materials and Methods: One hundred seven women after a mastectomy were
selected and interviewed by using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer-Quality of Life
Questionnaire and its Breast Specific Module to assess women’s quality of life. Result: The study findings revealed a
good score on global health status/quality of life. The respondents performed well on functional and symptom scales.
In the Breast Specific Module, all respondents performed poor regarding sexual function and sexual enjoyment. Global
Health Status was found useful among the women involved in service/business/agriculture and the survivors using
breast prosthesis. In Breast Specific Module, systemic therapy side effects showed strong statistical associations with
age, marital status, occupation, education, use of breast prosthesis and co-morbidity. Body image was highly significant
with age, occupation, education, use of breast prosthesis and co-morbidity. Conclusion: Based on the study findings,
counseling, and a structured educational programme is recommended to improve the QOL of women after a mastectomy.
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