BACKGROUND:Today, the quality of life studies has an important role in health care especially in chronic diseases. Breast cancer has third order among women's malignancies. Now, survival rate for this cancer is long. However breast cancer has several complications that affected the patient's life. AIMS: The aim of this study was to assess the quality of life in Breast cancer patients under chemotherapy. SETTING AND DESIGN: A cross-sectional study conducted on 119 breast cancer patients that were admitted and treated in chemotherapy ward of Namazi hospital in Shiraz city, south of Iran, between Jan and Feb 2006. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The QLQ-C30 questionnaire was used to assess quality of life in these patients. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: We used univariate methods. A multiple regression analysis was performed to identify predictors of quality of life. RESULTS: Mean age of patients was 48.27±11.42 with quality of life total score 64.92±24.28. All symptoms scales had reverse association with quality of life except appetite loss (P>0.05) and diarrhea (P=0.752). The results of the regression analyses showed that only grade of tumor, occupational status, menopausal status, fi nancial diffi culties and dyspnea were statistically signifi cant in predicting patients' quality of life. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, this study demonstrates the strength of the relationship between clinical and sociodemographical factors and breast cancer patients' quality of life. Psychological and fi nancial support for women experiencing breast cancer diagnosis may improve quality of life.

Abstract:Introduction: Fatigue is a common and frequently disabling symptom in cancer patients and cancer survivors. Fatigue may be caused by the disease itself, by treatment for the disease, by physical symptoms or conditions resulting from the disease or its treatment. The aim of this study was to assess fatigue and related factors in breast cancer patients. Material & Methods:We conducted a cross-sectional study on 119 random samples of breast cancer patients. The Iranian version of QLQ-C30 and QLQ-BR23 questionnaires were used. Univariate methods and multiple regression analysis were performed to identify predictors of fatigue.Results: Overall, 78% of the patients indicated that they were experiencing fatigue to some degree. The mean score on the fatigue subscale was 41.74±26.91.Of all functional subscales, fatigue showed the strongest influence on social functioning. Linear regression analyses showed that total fatigue was best predicted by pain, appetite loss, body image and type of treatment. Conclusion:Our results support the notion that fatigue in cancer patients is a major problem, which deserves yet more attention from health professionals, and that quality of life in cancer patients might be improved markedly by interventions that effectively reduce fatigue.

Millions of children who were born during the first decade after the Islamic revolution in Iran are now reaching the age of marriage and childbearing. Short spacing between marriage and the birth of the first child has the potential to cause an excessive and costly increase in the growth of population in Iran. Research into the motivations for the birth of first child among newly married couples can create a knowledge base that will enable health centres to help these couples make better decisions about the timing of their first pregnancy. Using a consecutive sampling technique and administering Miller’s Childbearing Questionnaire, data were gathered regarding the childbearing motivations and desires of 300 couples who had been referred to the Shiraz Health Center for premarital counselling. The Childbearing Questionnaire, with some minor modifications, was found to be a valid and reliable instrument for measuring the childbearing motivations of newly married couples of Shiraz County, Fars Province, Iran. The utility of these findings for counselling in health centres is discussed. Based on the results, a longitudinal study is being designed that will allow the development of models for predicting the time of first pregnancy after marriage.

The recurrence rate in stage I is lower than the estimated recurrence risk in several other studies which can be due to a real advantage of the center's practice. This may pose the question of indispensability for the advanced and expensive diagnostic paraclinical work-ups.

No abstract