Determinants of satisfaction with life and self-esteem in women with breast cancer

To determine satisfaction with life (LISAT) and self-esteem in women with breast cancer and the relation between sociodemographic and clinical variables with LISAT and self-esteem.

Cross-sectional study with 514 Spanish women with breast cancer. Data were collected using an online questionnaire that included the Satisfaction with Life Questionnaire (LISAT-8) and the Rosenberg self-esteem scale. Variables are age, education, occupation, marital status, surgical treatment, breast reconstruction, adjuvant treatment, time since diagnosis, the self-esteem scale, and the LISAT. A multinomial logistic regression was performed to identify possible factors associated with the LISAT and self-esteem after breast cancer.

The average age was 46.34 (SD ± 8.28), average age at diagnosis was 42.26 (SD ± 8.56), and average time since diagnosis was 4.05 years (SD ± 5.23). Reports showed the following: good general LISAT (61.7%), economic LISAT (44.7%), and social life LISAT (75.9%) and medium sexual LISAT (41.2%). Of the respondents, 39% had lower self-esteem (p < 0.001). Those who were working (p = 0.002) and those with breast reconstruction (p < 0.037) had a good LISAT. Women with mastectomies had a worse LISAT (p < 0.001). Self-esteem was associated with the general LISAT (Pearson = 0.536, p < 0.001), social LISAT (Pearson = 0.502, p < 0.001), and sexual LISAT (Pearson = 0.329, p < 0.001).

Women with breast cancer had a good LISAT overall; the sexual aspect was evaluated as the lowest in terms of life satisfaction. Marital status, occupation, surgical treatment and self-esteem are associated with the LISAT. Health professionals should know the variables that influence life satisfaction of women with breast cancer to plan and conduct appropriate nursing care.