Quality of life and social support in breast cancer patient undergoing radiotherapy in Viet Nam

Abstract

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate QoL across clinical stages and surgical methods, and to examine changes in QoL over the treatment trajectory. Methods: A observational study was conducted on 200 breast cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy at two oncology hospital Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam. Data on demographics, clinical stage, and treatment modalities were collected. QoL was assessed at three time points (baseline, during treatment, post-treatment) using the ECORTC QLQ-C30. Results: QoL by surgical method showed no significant long-term differences: post-treatment scores were 70.1 (mastectomy), 72.0 (reconstructive), and 69.4 (breast-conserving).In QoL classification, the proportion of patients with high QoL increased from 24.5% at baseline to 45.5% post-treatment, while very low QoL decreased from 3.0% to 1.5%. Conclusion: Vietnamese breast cancer patients are typically diagnosed at younger ages and advanced stages, with socioeconomic and geographic disparities evident. QoL declines during treatment but improves significantly post-treatment, irrespective of clinical stage or surgical type. Early detection and comprehensive survivorship support are essential for improving both clinical outcomes and QoL