Effects of Menopausal Symptoms and Depression on the Quality of Life of Premenopausal Women With Breast Cancer in Korea

Abstract

Introduction: As breast cancer survivors have increased, improving quality of life of the survivors becomes an important issue. The purpose of this study was to examine relationships among menopausal symptoms, depression, and quality of life and to identify the factors affecting the quality of life in premenopausal women with breast cancer. Method: This was a descriptive, correlational study using structured questionnaires for 90 premenopausal women with breast cancer attending the outpatient clinic of a tertiary hospital in Korea. Results: Menopausal symptoms (r = -0.770, p < .001) and depression (r = -0.715, p < .001) negatively affected the participants' quality of life. The major factors affecting quality of life were employment (t = -2.065, p = .042), depression (t = -2.375, p = .020), and menopausal symptoms (t = -3.863, p < .001). Menopausal symptoms were the strongest negative factor (beta = -.508) affecting quality of life. Discussion and Conclusions: Developing nursing intervention congruent with the culture of Korean breast cancer women with treatment-induced menopausal symptoms is a high priority.