Quality of life for breast cancer patients in Paraguay: State of the art

Abstract

The objective of this work is to carry out a review of the empirical research available in documents about the quality of life of Paraguayan women with breast cancer. The following databases have been consulted: PubMed, Latindex, Dialnet, IBECS, Redalyc, Elservier.

The present review provides data from a total of 393 Paraguayan patients with breast cancer. Only 26.3% of the localized investigations have been published in specialized magazines. Descriptive methodology predominates in the group of works (73.7%). All the studies analyzed are cross-sectional. Standardized instruments such as the Spielberger R-E
Anxiety Questionnaire, EPQ-R, CSI, QLS WHOQOL BREF, QLQ-C30, QLQ-BR23, InCaViSa, CAEPO, among others, have been used. The studies reviewed provide data on quality of life, perceived social support, social relationships, work activity, physical performance, cognitive functions, body perception, strategies for approaching the disease, as well as on problems of isolation, worries, anxiety and depression.