Fatigue, pain, psychological distress and quality of life of women undergoing chemotherapy or radiotherapy for breast cancer

Purpose: The study examined the correlations between fatigue, pain, psychological distress and quality of life (QOL) among women undergoing chemotherapy or radiotherapy for breast cancer. Methods: A convenient sample of 283 subjects was recruited from four public hospitals and participated in the correlational descriptive phase of the study. A self-reported survey consisted of the Chinese version of Brief Fatigue Inventory, Hospital Anxiety & Depression Scale, Brief Pain Inventory, Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy for Breast Cancer, and Medical Outcomes Study Social Support Survey was used. Results: Results showed that fatigue, pain and psychological distress were moderately correlated with each other (r=.316 - .557, p<.01), supported the notion that the symptom cluster existed among the participants. Those who experienced higher levels of the three symptoms, were receiving chemotherapy and had inadequate social support were more likely to have poorer level of QOL Conclusion: This study provided a better understanding of the complex phenomenon of interaction among the symptoms of fatigue, pain and psychological distress and how they affect patient outcomes. Health professionals should increase their awareness of the adverse effects of multiple symptoms on the QOL of breast-cancer women receiving chemotherapy or radiotherapy