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Original scientific paper

https://doi.org/10.20471/acc.2020.59.02.02

Defining Health-Related Quality of Life in Localized and Advanced Stages of Breast Cancer – the First Step towards Hereditary Cancer Genetic Counseling

Tamara Žigman ; University Hospital for Tumors, Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Centre, Zagreb, Croatia
Ivana Lukša ; University of Zagreb, School of Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia
Gloria Mihaljević ; University of Zagreb, School of Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia
Maša Žarković ; University of Zagreb, School of Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia
Iva Kirac ; University Hospital for Tumors, Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Centre, Zagreb, Croatia
Danko Velimir Vrdoljak ; University Hospital for Tumors, Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Centre, Zagreb, Croatia
Ljiljana Šerman ; University of Zagreb, School of Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia


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Abstract

The important goal in breast cancer treatment is to improve patient quality of life. Due to the huge economic burden, it is necessary to estimate the health state utility values for different breast cancer stages accurately. A group of 114 women filled out the EuroQol-5D-3L questionnaire at two time points. The participants were divided into three groups, as follows: group 1 including healthy high-risk individuals; group 2 including patients with localized stage breast cancer; and group
3 including patients with advanced stage breast cancer. Results were expressed either as summary health state utility score or summary visual-analog score. The EuroQol utility index score and EuroQol visual-analog score were statistically significantly higher in the group of healthy high-risk individuals. The EuroQol visual-analog score was mostly correlated with the anxiety/depression and pain/discomfort quality of life dimensions. Health state utility values for different breast cancer stages are a necessary tool to perform economic analyses in breast cancer management decision making, due to its huge economic burden. Special attention should be paid to assessment of the psychosocial aspects of the disease, as well as pain management.

Keywords

Breast cancer; Genetic counseling; Quality of life; Cost-benefit analysis

Hrčak ID:

243551

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/243551

Publication date:

1.6.2020.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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