Preoperative reference values for breast cancer patients using the BREAST-Q

The BREAST-Q can be used to evaluate the health-related quality of life (HRQL) of breast cancer patients. Data interpretation is limited by the lack of previous reference values based solely on patients with a recent breast cancer diagnosis.

A total of 627 patients, all with newly diagnosed breast cancer, were asked to participate in the study. The BREAST-Q modules for mastectomy and breast-conserving surgery were used. The results for the scales were reported as mean with standard deviation (SD). The effect of patient characteristics, including age, body mass index (BMI), and ASA-classification on the HRQL were analyzed with multiple linear regression.

In total, 315 patients (50.2 %) participated. The mean (SD) age was 60.3 (10.1) years. Mean scores (SD) were the following: Psychosocial Well-being 70.8 (15.0), Sexual Well-being 58.2 (15.1), Satisfaction with Breasts 59.9 (15.6), and Physical Well-being: Chest 81.7 (15.7). The psychosocial well-being, sexual well-being, and satisfaction with breasts were all similar compared to the normative mean scores of the scales. The physical well-being of the chest was lower than the normative mean value (p < 0.001). Psychosocial well-being (p = 0.007), sexual well-being (p = 0.007), and satisfaction with breasts (p < 0.001) were lower in patients with higher BMI. Younger patients reported lower physical well-being of the chest (p < 0.001).

This study established preoperative reference values for the BREAST-Q in breast cancer patients. This data can be used to evaluate the HRQL in breast cancer patients accurately.