QUALITY OF LIFE ASSESSMENT IN WOMEN WITH BREAST CANCER RECEIVING PALLIATIVE CARE AND NOT RECEIVING PALLIATIVE CARE

Ujwal Yeole*, Bhagyashree Gurav, Roshan Adkitte, Gaurai Gharote and Pravin Gawali

ABSTRACT

Background: With increasing prevalence of breast cancer and various treatments available, health-related quality of life with and without palliative care needs to be evaluated. The purpose of the study was to compare the quality of life in women with breast cancer receiving palliative care and not receiving palliative care. Methods: The cross sectional study was carried out on breast cancer patients from the cancer hospitals across Mumbai and Punecities, India. Total 50 females aged 40-70 years were surveyed, which included subjects receiving palliative care (Group A=25) and subjects who did not receive the palliative care (Group B=25). The purpose of the study was explained andwritten consent was taken. Participants were asked to fill the EORTC C-30 and BR-23 questionnaire and data obtained was analysed. Results: The mean age of Group A and Group B was 53.72 and 55.96 years respectively. Almost 92% of Group A scored higheron “Functional status” as compared to 24% of Group B. Also68% patients of Group Ademonstrated higher “Quality of life”as compared to 16% of Group B; whereas, almost 92% of Group Aindicated reduced symptoms on “Symptom scale” as compared to 32% of patients of Group B. Conclusion: The patients receiving palliative care demonstrated betterfunctional status and quality of life withfewer symptoms as compared to the patients who are not receiving palliative care.

Keywords: Breast cancer, Palliative care, Non-palliative care, EORTC C-30 & BR-23 questionnaire.