Quality of Life, Mood, and Prognostic Understanding in Patients with Metastatic Breast Cancer

Abstract

Background: Although breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related mortality in women in the United States, few studies focus on the supportive care needs of patients living with metastatic breast cancer (MBC).

Objective: We studied quality of life (QOL), depression, anxiety, and prognostic understanding of patients with MBC.

Design: We conducted a cross-sectional study of 140 patients with MBC, stratified by receipt of endocrine therapy or chemotherapy.

Measurements: We evaluated anxiety and depression using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). We assessed QOL using the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Breast (FACT-B), specifically measuring the FACT-B Trial Outcome Index (TOI), which includes physical and functional well-being and breast cancer-specific symptoms. Higher FACT-B TOI scores represent better QOL. We used a 12-item questionnaire to assess patients' perceptions of their prognosis and goals of therapy.

Results: Compared to those taking endocrine therapy (n = 40), patients receiving chemotherapy (n = 100) reported lower scores on the FACT-B TOI (66.1 versus 72.5, p < 0.01) and more depression symptoms (HADS-D >7; 22% versus 7.5%, p = 0.03). Higher scores on the FACT-B TOI were associated with lower depression (β, -0.16; p < 0.01) and anxiety (β, -0.11; p < 0.01), and patients who reported frequent prognostic conversations with their oncologists had less depression (β, -1.28; p < 0.01). Thirty-nine percent (54/140) reported that their cancer was likely curable.

Conclusion: Patients with MBC, particularly those treated with chemotherapy, may benefit from interventions to address their physical, functional, and breast cancer-related symptoms. Many do not report accurate prognostic understanding, and more frequent prognostic conversations might address this information gap.

Figures

FIG. 1.

Patients' preferences for details about cancer treatment and prognosis, including (a) their preferences for details about cancer diagnosis and treatment (n = 140) and (b) the importance of knowing prognosis (n = 140).

FIG. 2.

Patients' prognostic understanding and primary treatment goal, including (a) their estimated likelihood that their cancer will be cured (n = 140) and (b) their primary treatment goal (n = 140).