A survey on the relationship between quality of life and mental health among women with breast cancer referred to the cancer specialized medical center in isfahan

Breast cancer is the most common and harmful cancer among women. These patients suffered from many psychological problems which affect their quality of life. Therefore, this study was performed to examine the relationship between quality of life and mental health on women with breast cancer. Material & Method: This descriptive cross sectional study conducted in 352 breast cancer patients referred to the oncology hospital (Seyedolshohada) with simple sampling methodology in 2016. Data collection instrument included a questionnaire contains 3 parts (demographic information, general health questionnaire 28 questions (GHQ-28) and standard SF-36 questionnaire). The data were analyzed using SPSS18 with 99% confidence interval with using descriptive and analytic statistics (Pearson Correlation Coefficient and Variance analysis Test).

Based on study findings, the majority of subjects' quality of life (51.00%) was moderate in the field of mental health. Average score of social functioning disorders was 9.7±4.30 which was more than other mental health aspects, so breast cancer had the greatest effect on this aspect i.e. social functioning.
Results showed that there was a statistically significant relationship between physical function (one aspect of quality of life) among breast cancer patients with anxiety (p=0.001, r= -0.8) and depression (p=0.004, r= -0.65). Also there was a statistically significant relationship between Social Functioning (one aspect of quality of life) among breast cancer patients with anxiety (p=0.001, r= -0.8) and depression (p=0.002, r= -0.6) as well as somatoform symptoms (p=0.001, r= -0.7).

With regard to results of this study, understanding the severity of psychological problems of cancer patients and improving their quality of life, need to further consideration of ministary of health about treatment programs in hospitals more seriously and widespread.