QUALITY OF LIFE AND PSYCHOSOCIAL STATUS OF WOMEN WITH EARLY-STAGE BREAST CANCER

Abstract

While research has shown that psychosocial factors affect the quality of life of women with breast cancer, knowledge and understanding of the breast cancer experience of women in Singapore is lacking. By combining both quantitative and qualitative approaches, the present study has provided a comprehensive insight into understanding of the QoL and psychosocial status of women in the first year of early-stage breast cancer diagnosis. The findings of the present study supports previous studies that the breast cancer diagnosis and treatment is a life changing event, impacting several dimensions of the women’s lives. The study has further identified areas for research to improve the quality of life of women with breast cancer.