Patient-reported quality of life outcomes in Indian breast cancer patients: Importance, review of the researches, determinants and future directions

Abstract

Breast cancer is a leading problem in developing world and India can be considered as one of the major contributors for incidence of breast cancer. In this article authors have reviewed quality of life studies on Indian breast cancer population. There are many factors which may hear common but cannot be neglected in case of Indian population. Policies and future directions to be implemented for breast cancer are also discussed.

Sexual Health, Suicidal Ideation and weight changes in Cancer patients during Chemotherapy and Radiotherapy Treatment

“…Some kind of blushing nature and negligence toward self-health was also there in Indian women as compared with the western population [1] . As per Montazeri study, when a woman developed breast cancer, all family members might develop some sort of illness [1] . If we look at the other parts, in western countries generally the decision about the health of the woman were taken by the patient herself but in India, spouse, family background and family income played an important role in the healthcare decision making for the patient [1] .…”

“…Women were found to be more affected during the treatment regimen and that too in the chemotherapy group [1] . Moreover, a woman plays vital central role in the family as a wife, sister, mother, and daughter, but there was some amount of negligence toward a woman's health in Indian families [1] . Some kind of blushing nature and negligence toward self-health was also there in Indian women as compared with the western population [1] .…”

“…As per Montazeri study, when a woman developed breast cancer, all family members might develop some sort of illness [1] . If we look at the other parts, in western countries generally the decision about the health of the woman were taken by the patient herself but in India, spouse, family background and family income played an important role in the healthcare decision making for the patient [1] . Therefore, marital status of the patient might not be ignored as a factor affecting QOL [1] .…”

“…Moreover, a woman plays vital central role in the family as a wife, sister, mother, and daughter, but there was some amount of negligence toward a woman's health in Indian families [1] . Some kind of blushing nature and negligence toward self-health was also there in Indian women as compared with the western population [1] . As per Montazeri study, when a woman developed breast cancer, all family members might develop some sort of illness [1] .…”

“…It is important to study QOL aspects in cancer patients because of chronic nature of the disease, regular follow-up by the patient, different types of treatments given (radiation, surgery and chemotherapy), influence on sexual life, suicidal ideation and self-identity of cancer patients [1] . Cancer treatment, especially chemotherapy, creates changes in the patient's body that affects sexual desire, sexual functioning, and emotional relationships [2] .…”