QUALITY OF LIFE IN WOMEN AFTER BREAST CANCER REMOVAL Bruna Sandoval Fonseca, Marlúcia de Freitas Malta, Amanda Azevedo Fumagalli, Alessandra Fernandes Loureiro, Cláudia Oliveira

Abstract

To assess the quality of life of women after breast cancer removal and to identify possible complaints associated with post-surgical treatment. This is a descriptive, cross-sectional observational study in which 25 women aged between 30 and 80 years who underwent breast cancer removal surgery were evaluated. The sample consisted of women who attended the Neo Mama Institute located in the city of Santos. The WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire was used to assess quality of life, which consists of 26 questions classified into four domains: physical, psychological, social relationships and environment. The data analysis showed that the quality of life assessment from 1 to 2.9 needs improvement (0), from 3 to 3.9 fair (73.08%), from 4 to 4.9 good (26.92%) and 5 very good (0). The results of this research suggest that the quality of life in women after breast cancer removal is classified mostly (73.08%) as regular, indicating some items that need improvement such as pain and discomfort, energy/fatigue, self-esteem, body image/appearance and social support.