Measurement and practical aspects of quality of life in breast cancer.

There are many aspects of quality of life which are non-intuitive and need to be studied to get information for the improvement of cancer treatment. There is general agreement that quality of life should be measured as an important end-point in clinical trials, especially when palliative treatment is intended. The present paper summarizes the main aspects of measurement of quality of life as well as the results of quality of life studies concerning breast cancer. Many practical problems in our health care system clearly undermine the quality of life of cancer patients. The Finnish Hospital League ran a project to identify factors affecting quality of life in the treatment of breast cancer. Four important aspects are discussed, i.e. individual treatment choices, communication, psychological support and continuity of care. Most of the findings are likely to be generalizable within a Nordic cultural context, although Finland still devotes fewer resources to psychosocial support than do other Nordic countries.