What determines the health-related quality of life among regional and rural breast cancer survivors?

Objective: To assess the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of regional and rural breast cancer survivors at 12 months post-diagnosis and to identify correlates of HRQoL. Methods: In 2006/07, 323 (202 regional and 121 rural) Queensland women diagnosed with unilateral breast cancer participated in a population-based, cross-sectional study. HRQoL was measured using the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy, Breast plus arm morbidity (FACT-B+4) self-administered questionnaire. Results: In age-adjusted analyses, mean HRQoL scores of regional breast cancer survivors were comparable to their rural counterparts 12 months post-diagnosis (122.9, 95% Cl: 119.8, 126.0 vs. 123.7, 95% Cl: 119.7,127.8; p>0.05). Irrespective of residence, younger