Health-related quality of life in male breast cancer patients

Abstract

The objective of this study is to investigate health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in male breast cancer patients. Data of 20,673 patients diagnosed with primary breast cancer (male: n = 84) who completed a questionnaire after discharge from hospital were analysed. HRQoL (SF-36), age, sex, education, native language, insurance status, and partnership status were measured. Cancer staging, treatment (partial mastectomy vs. radical mastectomy), and cancer site were indicated by the clinicians. The HRQoL scores of male breast cancer patients were compared with reference populations. Differences in HRQoL scores between men and women were compared using t tests and regression analysis. Compared to female breast cancer patients, male patients scored significantly higher on seven of eight subscales (physical functioning, role functioning-physical and emotional, bodily pain, vitality, social functioning, and mental health) in the regression analysis. Compared to the reference populations (general male population, men aged 61-70, and the cancer-affected population), male breast cancer patients scored lower on SF-36 subscales on average, with major differences in emotional and physical role functioning. The results suggest that male breast cancer patients may need early interventions that specifically target role functioning, which is severely impaired compared to the male reference population. Future research needs to assess HRQoL with cancer-specific questionnaires and longitudinal designs also focussing on male patients in breast centres.

Male Breast Cancer Has Limited Effect on Survivor’s Perceptions of Their Own Masculinity

“…2012; Brain et al, 2006;Farrell et al, 2014;Kowalski et al, 2012). More work is needed among populations of MBC patients, and male breast clinic attendees, to understand problems surrounding presentation for all breastrelated problems (Kipling, Ralph, & Callanan, 2014).…”

“…Some work has been done to establish MBC as a separate clinical entity for patients with regard to recognizing the need for gender-specific information, improving patient access and combatting potential isolation (Andrykowski, 2012; Brain et al, 2006; Farrell et al, 2014; Kowalski et al, 2012). More work is needed among populations of MBC patients, and male breast clinic attendees, to understand problems surrounding presentation for all breast-related problems (Kipling, Ralph, & Callanan, 2014).…”

“…There is a paucity of evidence surrounding the personal perceptions and psychological stressors associated with MBC survivors. MBC patients reported high levels of cancer-specific distress (Brain, Williams, Iredale, France, & Gray, 2006) and depressive symptoms related to alterations in body image are common, although studies differ as to whether they are as high as in women (Andrykowski, 2012; Brain et al, 2006; Kowalski et al, 2012). As awareness and advocacy has increased in breast cancer in Africa over the past decade, it has mimicked trends from the Western Europe and the United States becoming strongly allied with female colors and themes.…”

Experiences and perceptions of men following breast cancer diagnosis: A meta-synthesis

“…The breast is seen as a symbol of femininity, and as incongruent with being male, together with the signi cant public health emphasis on the prevention of breast cancer among females (70,72) have further championed the perception that breast cancer is a feminine illness (49,68). Thus, it was not surprising that the nding regarding being out of sync with one's body resonated across the included studies.…”

“…Five key therapeutic modalities were reported across the included studies: surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, and palliative care. The surgical interventions included mastectomy (3,46,49,53,55,57,61,65), lumpectomy (34), lymphadenectomy (36), and sentinel/ axillary lymph node biopsy (36).…”