Younger breast cancer patients have more adverse quality-of-life issues

Younger women with breast cancer experience a decrease in their health-related quality of life (QOL), associated with increased psychological distress, weight gain, a decline in their physical activity, infertility and early onset menopause, according to a study published January 20 in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.

Breast cancer is the most common non-skin cancer in women, and is the leading cause of death in women under 50 in the U.S. While the survival rate for younger women with breast cancer has improved over the last two decades, their cancer treatments, despite their effectiveness, can seriously affect QOL and other health outcomes.

To better understand the impact of on the quality of life of younger , Patricia A. Ganz, M.D., director of cancer prevention and control research at the Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of California Los Angeles, and colleagues did a review of studies that focused on overall QOL, psychosocial effects, menopause and fertility-related concerns, and behavioral outcomes related to weight gain and physical activity. The studies were published between January 1990 and July 2010. Of the 840 titles and abstracts reviewed, they focused on 28 with the most relevant data.

The researchers found that overall QOL was compromised in younger breast cancer survivors, with the mental issues more severe than the physical problems. Young women were also more depressed compared to the general age-matched population of women without cancer or women over 50 with breast cancer. Premature menopause, infertility and menopause-related symptoms were more common and contributing factors to the level of distress in women 50 or younger after treatment. Weight gain and were common health outcomes in younger women, although exercise rates generally increased after treatment.

The researchers write that in light of these adverse QOL outcomes, personalized treatment for in younger women is particularly important. "By tailoring adjuvant therapy regimens and giving cytotoxic therapy only to those who may benefit, we can mitigate some of these side effects, but the long life expectancy for these younger women also provides a window of opportunity for cancer prevention and health promotion activities."

Citation: Younger breast cancer patients have more adverse quality-of-life issues (2012, January 20) retrieved 29 March 2024 from https://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-01-younger-breast-cancer-patients-adverse.html
This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only.

Explore further

Weight gain increases breast cancer risk

 shares

Feedback to editors