Aim:

The study was conducted with the aim of evaluating the quality of life and healthy lifestyle behaviors in patients with breast cancer.

Materials and Methods:

The sample of the study consisted of 150 breast cancer patients who applied to the “Day-Care Chemotherapy Unit at a university Healthcare Application and Research Center”, who were over 18 years old, agreed to participate in the study, had no communication problems, took 6th dose chemotherapy and were stage on I-II. “Patient Identification Form” was used in evaluating personal and medical characteristics of breast cancer patients, “SF-36 Form” was used in questioning the quality of life, “Scale of Healthy Life Style Behavior II” was used in questioning healthy lifestyle behaviors. Scales were applied to patients as face-to-face in single conversation. The data obtained from the study, was evaluated using descriptive and comparison statistics. Based on the characteristics of the data, while in descriptive statistics, percentage, arithmetic mean and standard deviation were preferred; in evaluating the differences between the groups, parametric and nonparametric tests were used. For statistical evaluation, P <0.05 value was accepted as relevant.

Results:

When the quality of life of breast cancer patients was evaluated; it was found that the lowest scoring subscale was the Emotional Role Restriction, and the highest scoring subscale was the Mental Health. When the effects of socio-demographic characteristics on the quality of life of the patients with breast cancer were examined, it was determined that age, occupational status, educational status, monthly income and family type were significant variables. When evaluating the healthy lifestyle behaviors; it was determined that the Physical Activity was the lowest scoring subscale, the Spiritual Development was the highest scoring subscale and the mean score of 154.20 ± 24.22 for healthy lifestyle behaviors was moderately good.

Conclusion:

When the effects of socio-demographic characteristics on healthy lifestyle behaviors of the patients with breast cancer were examined, it was determined that marital status, education level, occupational status and the people who supported the treatment were important variables.

Keywords: Breast Cancer, Quality of Life, Healthy Life Style Behaviors