Quality of life for patients with breast cancer

Abstract

Breast cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissues of the breast. The etiology of breast cancer is not fully understood. A variety of interrelated factors, such as genetics, hormones, the environment, sociobiology and physiology can influence its development. Although breast cancer cannot be prevented, the risks of developing breast cancer can be minimized through specific preventive activities in lifestyle, diet, overall physical characteristics and obesity, and interventions for women at high risk of developing breast cancer using tamoxifen and other anti-estrogen compounds (Davies, Pan, Godwin, Gray & Arriagad, 2013). Quality of life (QOL) is a multi-dimensional concept that includes domains related to physical, mental, emotional, and social functioning. It goes beyond direct measures of population health, life expectancy, and causes of death, and focuses on the impact health status has on quality of life. Quality of life is determined by several definations,it can be the extent to which hopes and ambitions are matched by experience or individuals’ perceptions of their position in life taken in the context of the culture and value systems where they live and in relation to their goals, expectations, standards and concerns, also appraisal of one’s current state against some ideal or the things people regard as important in their lives (Bennadi & Reddy, 2013).