Calidad de vida en pacientes con cáncer de mama en unidades oncológicas del Ecuador

Abstract

Introduction: Breast cancer is one of the most prevalent diseases in the world that produces effects on personal, psychological, emotional, and social life and affects the quality of life. Objective: To evaluate the quality of life in patients with breast cancer. Materials and methods: Descriptive, quantitative study, non-experimental design, cross-sectional approach, 39 patients with a diagnosis of breast cancer attended in 3 specialized oncological units in Ecuador participated, non-probabilistic convenience sample, a validated Quality of Life questionnaire was applied. (WHOQOL-BREF) to assess health status in four areas: physical, environment, social relationships, psychological health. Results: 100% women, 41% between 30 and 39 years old, 87.2% mestizo, 2.6% black, 41% married, 38.5% secondary education, 38.5% have a job, 48.7% live with their spouse and children, 20.5% need a lot of treatment to function in daily life; are little satisfied with: 35.9% quality of sleep, 28.2% ability to carry out activities of daily living, 25.6% work capacity, 12.8% social relationships and sexual life, 23.1% support of friends, 17.9% security in their daily life, 41% money to cover their needs, 15.4% feel that their life has little meaning and are not very satisfied with themselves. Conclusions and Recommendations: Breast cancer has an impact on the quality of life, with damage to physical health, sleep problems, daily activities, social relationships, economic and psychological impact; security, physical and economic autonomy are factors that influence the quality of life, factors that must be taken into account in the multidisciplinary work of health personnel.

Keywords: quality of life, breast cancer, physical health.