Breast Conserving Therapy and Quality of Life in Thai Females: a Mixed Methods Study

TY - JOUR

T1 - Breast Conserving Therapy and Quality of Life in Thai Females

T2 - a Mixed Methods Study

AU - Peerawong, Thanarpan

AU - Phenwan, Tharin

AU - Supanitwatthana, Sojirat

AU - Mahattanobon, Somrit

AU - Kongkamol, Chanon

PY - 2016/6

Y1 - 2016/6

N2 - Background: To explore factors that influence quality of life (QOL) in patients receiving breast conserving therapy (BCT).Materials and Methods: In this sequential mixed methods study, 118 women from Songklanagarind Hospital were included. We used participants' characteristics, Body Image Scale (BIS), and Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy with the Breast Cancer Subscale (FACT-B) for analysis. The BIS transformed into presence of body image disturbance (BID). Factors that influenced QOL were determined by stepwise multiple linear regression. Forty-one participants were selected for qualitative analysis. Our female researcher performed the semi-structured interviews with questions based on the symbolic interaction theory. Final codes were analysed using thematic analysis along with investigator triangulation methods.Results: Ninety percent had early stage breast cancer with post-completed BCT, for an average of 2.7 years. The median BIS score and FACT-B score were 2 (IQR=10) and 130 (IQR=39). In the regression analysis, an age of more than 50 years and BID were significant factors. As for the value of conserved breasts, two themes emerged: a conserved breast is an essential part of a participant's life and also the representation of her womanhood; the importance of a breast is related to age.Conclusions: Body image influenced QOL in post BCT participants. The conserved breasts also lead to positive and better impact on their body image as an essential part of their life.

AB - Background: To explore factors that influence quality of life (QOL) in patients receiving breast conserving therapy (BCT).Materials and Methods: In this sequential mixed methods study, 118 women from Songklanagarind Hospital were included. We used participants' characteristics, Body Image Scale (BIS), and Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy with the Breast Cancer Subscale (FACT-B) for analysis. The BIS transformed into presence of body image disturbance (BID). Factors that influenced QOL were determined by stepwise multiple linear regression. Forty-one participants were selected for qualitative analysis. Our female researcher performed the semi-structured interviews with questions based on the symbolic interaction theory. Final codes were analysed using thematic analysis along with investigator triangulation methods.Results: Ninety percent had early stage breast cancer with post-completed BCT, for an average of 2.7 years. The median BIS score and FACT-B score were 2 (IQR=10) and 130 (IQR=39). In the regression analysis, an age of more than 50 years and BID were significant factors. As for the value of conserved breasts, two themes emerged: a conserved breast is an essential part of a participant's life and also the representation of her womanhood; the importance of a breast is related to age.Conclusions: Body image influenced QOL in post BCT participants. The conserved breasts also lead to positive and better impact on their body image as an essential part of their life.

KW - Body image

KW - Breast cancer

KW - Breast conservation

KW - Mixed methods

KW - Quality of life

UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/84977575630

M3 - Article

C2 - 27356712

SN - 2476-762X

VL - 17

SP - 2917

EP - 2921

JO - Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention

JF - Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention

IS - 6

M1 - 32

ER -