Predictors of quality of life and mental health in breast cancer survivors in Northern Iran

Q: What was the study’s main aim?

To assess predictors of quality of life (QOL) and mental health in breast cancer survivors in Northern Iran.

Q: How were QOL and mental health measured in the study?

Researchers used demographic and fertility data, a QOL survey, and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS).

Q: Which factors predicted quality of life and HADS?

Marital relationship and number of children predicted QOL. Husband’s education and having no history of other cancers in the woman were important predictors of HADS.

Sep 24, 2026

Uploaded by Kyle

Global breast cancer incidence is the highest among cancers and a leading cause of cancer-related mortality. This cross-sectional study evaluated predictors of quality of life (QOL) and mental health among 96 female breast cancer survivors aged 20–65 in Northern Iran. Data were collected using demographic and fertility information, a QOL survey, and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Results showed 11.5% optimal, 31.3% favorable, and 57.3% undesirable QOL, with mean HADS 20.14±3.07. Marital relationship and number of children predicted QOL, while husband’s education and no other cancer history predicted HADS.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages7

Reading Time18 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Background and purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Introduction

Zolfaghary etal. BMC Women's Health (2023) 23:378 [https://doi.org/10.1186/s12905-023-02533-7](https://doi.org/10.1186/s12905-023-02533-7) BMC Women's Health RESEARCH Open Access Predictors of quality of life and mental health in breast cancer survivors in Northern Iran Fatemeh Zolfaghary1, Reza MashaghiTabari2, Mobina Dezhman 1, Ali Bijani3, Farzan Kheirkha3 and Hajar Adib-Rad4* Abstract Background and purpose The global incidence of breast cancer is the highest among all cancers and is the primary reason for cancer-related fatalities. Our study aimed to assess the predictors of quality of life (QOL) and mental health in breast cancer survivors in Northern Iran. Methods This cross-sectional study was done on 96 female breast cancer survivors between the ages of 20 and 65 and was based on convenience samples. We gathered information through demographic and fertility data, a QOL survey, and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) . A significance level of P < 0.05 was set for the analysis. Results In this study, results showed that 11. 5% of women had the optimal quality of life, 31 . 3% favorable quality of life, and 57 . 3% undesirable quality of life. The average HADS score was 20.14 ± 3 . 07, with anxiety scores of 10.21 ± 2.31 and depression scores of 9.93 ± 1.64. On multiple linear regression, marital relationship and the number of children were predictors of quality of life (β=-17 . 624, p = 0.023 and β=-7 .427, p = 0 . 016, respectively), as well as the husband’s education and having no history of other cancers in the woman, were the most important predictors of HADS (β = 0 . 763, p = 0.039 and β=-0 . 528, p = 0 . 016, respectively) . Conclusion It is crucial to provide exceptional care to breast cancer patients during treatment and post-recovery. Emotional and psychological support is a fundamental requirement for their well-being. Keywords Breast cancer, Anxiety, Depression, Quality of life, Mental health *Correspondence: Hajar Adib-Rad [Adibrad2015@gmail.com](Adibrad2015@gmail.com) 1Student Research Committee, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran 2Faculty of Medicine, Belgrade University of Medical Sciences, Belgrade, Serbia 3Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran 4Infertility and Health Reproductive Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran Introduction Breast cancer is the most cause of cancer-related fatalities among women globally and is responsible for the secondhighest number of cancer-related deaths among women in the United States [1]. Despite extensive research efforts in the laboratory, epidemiology, and clinical studies, the incidence rate of breast cancer continues to rise. This disease remains a major source of illness for women, with one in every 20 individuals worldwide and one in every eight people in high-income countries being affected by it [2]. Fewer than 1% of breast cancer cases are diagnosed in men [3]. Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer worldwide, affecting millions of women and, in some cases, men. It is also the leading cause of cancer-related © The Author(s) 2023. Open Access This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, which permits use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons licence, and indicate if changes were made. The images or other third party material in this article are included in the article’s Creative Commons licence, unless indicated otherwise in a credit line to the material. If material is not included in the article’s Creative Commons licence and your intended use is not permitted by statutory regulation or exceeds the permitted use, you will need to obtain permission di

FAQs

What was the study’s main aim?

To assess predictors of quality of life (QOL) and mental health in breast cancer survivors in Northern Iran.

How were QOL and mental health measured in the study?

Researchers used demographic and fertility data, a QOL survey, and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS).

Which factors predicted quality of life and HADS?

Marital relationship and number of children predicted QOL. Husband’s education and having no history of other cancers in the woman were important predictors of HADS.

Sep 24, 2026

Uploaded by Kyle