Quality of life in breast cancer survivors in India: Factors and importance

Cancer has become one of the most significant reasons for causing high rates of mortality over the globe. Mortality rate due to cancer in India is also very high. It is also considered as the second most common disease to be responsible for highest mortality rate every year in the country. Among the different types of cancers, breast cancer is the leading problem in India. The diagnosis of breast cancer and its subsequent treatment has a significant impact on the health and well being of women. Therefore, the women have to face substantial barriers towards the quality of life they deserve post-treatment as well. In the recent years, measurement of the quality of life (QOL) of the breast cancer patients in India has gained attention of the clinical research fraternity. Assessment of QOL is also important for understanding the consequences of the treatment. Various factors have been found to influence QOL in the breast cancer patients. These factors include socio-economic status, educational status of patients, employment support, spousal support, psychosocial challenges and financial stability. This review aimed to identify the determinants of QOL in Indian breast cancer patients. The scope of predictive analytics in the domain has also been discussed.