Social support during re-entry period and long-term quality of life in breast cancer survivors: a 10-year longitudinal cohort study

Abstract

Purpose: This study evaluated the association between social support during the re-entry period and long-term health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in breast cancer survivors using a longitudinal cohort study.

Methods: This is a prospective cohort study with 275 breast cancer survivors who reported HRQoL at 5 and 10 years after diagnosis. Social support for the re-entry period was measured 3 years after diagnosis using the Medical Outcome Study Social Support Survey (MOS-SSS). HRQoL was evaluated using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30 (QLQ-C30) and Breast Cancer-Specific Module (BR-23). Multivariable linear regression analysis was performed to evaluate HRQoL at 5 and 10 years after diagnosis by level of social support during the re-entry period.

Results: The mean (SD) of social support during re-entry period was 68.5. The low social support (LSS, score < 55) group during the re-entry period had a significantly lower HRQoL (mean difference = - 12.93) compared to moderate or high social support (MHSS, score ≥ 55) group. 5 and 10 years after diagnosis, the LSS group continued to demonstrate lower HRQoL (5 years: - 7.17; 10 years: - 7.85) compared to the MHSS group. The LSS group were more likely to have lower role and social function scores, and higher fatigue, pain, and financial problems compared to the MHSS group at 10 years after diagnosis.

Conclusions: Breast cancer survivors who received lower social support during the re-entry period were more likely to experience poorer HRQoL in the long term than those who did not.

Keywords: Breast cancer; Cohort study; Quality of life; Re-entry period; Social support; Survivorship.