The Impact of Breast Cancer on the Emotional Component of Health

Aim: The aim of this study was to examine how the breast cancer affects the quality of life of women, especially in the emotional component of health compared to women without this disease in our community.

Study Design: Cross-sectional study.

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Social Medicine, Medical Faculty, University of Banja Luka with the Association of women “Iskra” and the Association of nurses from Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina, from 10 June to 15 August 2011.

Methodology: The study included 100 women treated for breast cancer from “Iskra" Banja Luka and 100 women from the Association of nurse aged 20-75, using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30).

Results: In monitoring the parameters on functional scales in women treated for breast cancer, the score for emotional scale and social functioning has shown the lowest value, with a statistically significant difference compared to the highest score in cognitive and physical functioning. Changes in emotional scale at large were associated with symptoms that occur in women treated for breast cancer, where nearly ½ (48%) of those women had pain and the pain interfered with the daily activities. Insomnia was present quite a bit (53%) and very much (5%) in women treated for breast cancer. In women treated for breast cancer, a statistically significant difference was found in scores for symptoms of fatigue, insomnia and pain in relation to other symptoms which were present to a lesser extent. More than 2/3 (73%) said they were concerned about their health in the future.

Conclusion: Changes on emotional scale indicate the need to monitor the quality of emotional health of patients treated for breast cancer in order to implement preventive programs to help women treated for breast cancer to cope with this problem.