DOI: 10.1200/go-26-12000 ISSN: 2687-8941

Quality of Life and Lifestyle Choices of Breast Cancer Patients Presenting at a Cancer Treatment Centre in Ghana

Anna Maria Anim-Sampong, Genevieve Aryeetey
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PURPOSE

Breast cancer and its treatment can affect patients’ quality of life (QoL) and lifestyle choices. Although several studies have examined these impacts globally, limited data exist on the QoL and lifestyle choices of breast cancer patients in Ghana. This study assessed the QoL and lifestyle choices of breast cancer patients at the Sweden Ghana Medical Centre (SGMC).

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 80 breast cancer patients receiving treatment at SGMC. The Functional Assessment Cancer Therapy-Breast (FACT-B) version 4 and a researcher-developed questionnaire were used to evaluate QoL and lifestyle choices over a one-month period. Data was analyzed with STATA version 16. Associations between QoL domains, treatment options and lifestyle variables were assessed.

RESULTS

The overall QoL score of 43% suggested moderate to low QoL across functional domains. Statistically significant relationships were established between QoL domains and treatment options (p=0.000). Patients who received curative radiotherapy and surgery recorded the highest emotional wellbeing (EWB) (62.4% ± 5.4%, P = .000) and functional wellbeing (FWB) (62.5% ± 5.7%, P = .006) scores. FWB was significantly higher among patients who underwent lumpectomy, partial mastectomy and complete mastectomy ( P = 0.027). Median scores for healthy lifestyles were generally high (≥60.0%) across most variables, except among patients who underwent partial mastectomy (52.5%). No significant relationships were found between healthy lifestyles choices and the independent variables ( P = ±.05). However, diet-related lifestyle scores differed significantly across age groups ( P = .001). Personal appearance and social lifestyle scores were generally low, except among patients who received curative radiotherapy and surgery( P < .001). Mastectomy adversely impacted their marital relationships ( P = .136).

CONCLUSION

Functional well-being was the most enjoyed QoL across the independent variables. Significant relationships were established between the QoL domains and treatment options ( P = .000), highlighting the need for comprehensive supportive care for breast cancer patients in Ghana.

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