Psychosocial distress and health-related quality of life in women undergoing active treatment for breast and gynaecological cancers: A cross-sectional analysis.

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Background: Despite advances in systemic therapy, psychosocial distress during active cancer treatment remains under-recognized, particularly in resource-constrained settings. Women undergoing treatment for breast and gynaecological malignancies experience multidimensional distress affecting adherence, functioning, and overall quality of life. This study comprehensively evaluated distress domains and health-related quality of life in women receiving active medical oncology treatment. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 200 women undergoing active treatment were assessed using the National Comprehensive Cancer Network Distress Thermometer (DT), the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30 (EORTC QLQ-C30), and the EORTC QLQ-BR23 for the breast cancer subgroup. Scores were linearly transformed to a 0–100 scale. Results: Of 200 participants, 59.5% (n = 119) had breast cancer and 40.5% (n = 81) had gynaecological malignancies. Moderate distress was reported by 44% (n = 88) and severe distress by 15% (n = 30). Prominent practical concerns included financial/insurance burden (23%, n = 46) and childcare responsibilities (23.5%, n = 47). Emotional symptoms were common: worry (38%, n = 76), fear (35.5%, n = 71), and depression (30.5%, n = 61). Fatigue (52.5%, n = 105) was the most frequently endorsed physical concern, followed by sleep disturbance (35.5%, n = 71) and pain (32.5%, n = 65). On EORTC QLQ-C30 (n = 200), the mean Global Health Status/QoL score was 55.75, indicating moderate overall quality of life. Functional domains were relatively preserved, particularly cognitive functioning (75.17) and emotional functioning (73.12). Among symptom scales, fatigue (31.67) and pain (27.42) were the highest-scoring domains, consistent with mild-to-moderate symptom burden. In the breast cancer subgroup (n = 119), QLQ-BR23 functional scales demonstrated good body image (75.84) but low sexual functioning (15.97), largely reflecting reduced sexual activity. Sexual enjoyment was high (86.67) among sexually active participants. Future perspective (57.14) suggested moderate impact on outlook. Among symptom scales, distress related to hair loss (39.22) represented a moderate symptom burden. Conclusions: Women undergoing active treatment for breast and gynaecological cancers experience substantial psychosocial distress alongside measurable quality-of-life impairment, particularly related to fatigue, emotional burden, practical stressors, and sexuality. Routine distress screening and structured integration of psycho-oncology services within standard oncology care pathways are warranted to optimize patient-centric outcomes and treatment adherence.