Ahead of Print

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: The increasing number of breast cancer diagnoses, allied with a higher survival rate, brings new challenges. One of them is related to quality of life (QoL): understanding its dimensions with the goal of health resources optimization and continuous improvement of the QoL of women with breast cancer using Value-Based Healthcare (VBH) as the guiding concept.
METHODS: Observational, retrospective, longitudinal and descriptive-correlational study. EORTC QLQ-C30/ BR23 questionnaires were applied at different moments of follow-up to women with breast cancer followed in a private health institution for 2 years (n = 61).
RESULTS: Satisfactory QoL levels after 2 years of the diagnosis were identified. In the baseline moment, several factors that exert influence in the QoL of these women stand out: cognitive, social and sexual function; body image, future perspectives and the fatigue, pain, and secondary effects symptoms. After 2 years, these factors multiply and cover most of the questionnaire’s dimensions. Older women show lower global levels of QoL as well as worse physical and sexual function, and sexual satisfaction. Younger women show a positive QoL level trend, while older women show a negative trend.
CONCLUSION: QoL and its dimensions are not immutable. Health professionals and health institutions’ interven-tions must be dynamic and holistic to respond to women with breast cancer’s complex needs related to their QoL. Human, technical and material resources’ optimization, as well as a deepening of QoL-related knowledge, are ever more relevant to improve the health of all the people affected by this disease using VBH as the guiding concept.