Effectiveness of an Instructional Program on Health-Related Quality of Life for Breast Cancer Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy

Abstract

Background: Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers among women in the world. This study aims to assess the effectiveness of the instructional program on Health-Related quality of life in breast cancer women undergoing chemotherapy in Al-Anbar, Iraq.

Methods: A quantitative study was conducted among 59 breast cancer patients, the 59 study sample has been exposed to the instructional program. The instrument used in this study were The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) QLQ-C30 and QLQ-C23 questionnaire.

Results: The study finding shows, the patients appeared poor quality of life in the pre-test before the instructional program, but after the program in the post-test, the quality of life improved, which means that the effectiveness of the instructional program improved the patient’s quality of life.

Conclusion: The majority of the sample have a low quality of life in the pre-test, the patients who were exposed to the instructional program noticed improved quality of life.

Recommendation: The study urges an increase in educational programs for patients to raise awareness about a healthy quality of life during chemotherapy, as well as to support patients psychologically and physically.