Evaluation of Quality of life, Social Support and Coping Strategies and Illness Adjustment in patients with breast cancer: Across sectional study

Abstract Background: This study aimed to assess the quality of life (QOL), social support and coping strategies, and illness adjustment among breast cancer patients in general and on type of breast surgery.Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study at the Ali-Ebne-Abitaleb and Khatam-Al-Anbia hospitals in Zahedan, Iran, 2020. We recruited patients with breast cancer who underwent lumpectomy(n=44), mastectomy(n=64), and not any surgery (n=15) by census method. Data collection tools were the breast cancer-specific module (QLQ-BR 23), The adjustment to illness measurement inventory for Iranian women with breast cancer (AIMI- IBC), and the multidimensional scale of perceived social support (MSPSS) questionnaires. We performed statistical analysis by ANOVA, independent sample t-test, Kruskal-Wallis, Mann-Whitney U-test, and multiple linear regression analysis to adjust for covariates.Results: We recruited a total of 120 patients with breast cancer in this survey. 53.3% of patients underwent a mastectomy, 34.2% lumpectomy, and 12.5% of patients had not been surgery. Patients in the functioning scale reported high scores for body image (mean=78.61, SD=26.69) and future perspective (mean=55.27, SD=26.71). Patients on the symptom scale had a high score upset by hair loss (mean= 49.16, SD=38.88). Generally, patients received a high social support level, especially from family members, and used a positive coping strategy to have high illness adjustment more than a negative coping strategy. Also, patients who underwent lumpectomy had a better sexual life and body image and more illness adjustment than the other two groups of patients.Conclusion: Early detection of the disease, support for patients, and educational programs to use appropriate coping strategies can improve breast cancer women's quality of life and disease adaptation.