Table 3 A list of systematic reviews on different aspects of quality of life in breast cancer patients (1974–2006)
Author(s) [Ref.] | Year | Main focus | Conclusion(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
Irwig and Bennetts [27] | 1997 | A systematic review of quality of life after breast conservation or mastectomy | Apart body image it is unclear whether breast conservation or mastectomy results in better psychosocial outcomes. |
Bottomley and Therasse [28] | 2002 | Systemic therapy (chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, or biological therapy) in advanced breast cancer (1995–2001) | QOL data provide invaluable insights into the treatment and care of patients. |
Shimozuma et al. [29] | 2002 | Systematic overview of the literature (1982–1999) | To date there have been almost no appropriate systematic overviews or guidelines issued for QOL assessment studies related to breast cancer. |
Goodwin et al. [30] | 2003 | Randomized clinical trials of treatment (review of literature from 1980–2001) | Until results of ongoing trials in breast cancer are available, caution is recommended in initiating new QOL studies unless treatment equivalency is expected or unless unique or specific issues can be addressed. |
Rietman et al. [31] | 2003 | Late morbidity of breast cancer (review of literature from 1980 to 2000) | Significant relationship between late morbidity and restrictions of daily activities and poorer QOL was reported. |
Payne et al. [32] | 2003 | Racial disparities in the palliative care for African-American (review of literature from 1985 to 2000) | Differences in treatment patterns, pain management, and hospice care exist between African-American and other ethnic groups. |
Fossati [33] | 2004 | Randomized clinical trials of cytotoxic or hormonal treatments in advanced breast cancer (review of published literature before Dec 2003 | QOL assessments added relatively little value to classical clinical endpoints. |
Mols et al. [34] | 2005 | Systematic review among long-term survivors | Focusing on the long-term effects of breast cancer is important when evaluating the full extent of cancer treatment. |
Grimison and Stockler [35] | 2007 | Adjuvant systemic therapy for early-stage breast cancer (review of literature from 1996 to Feb. 2007) | For the majority of breast cancer patients most aspects of health-related quality of life recover after adjuvant chemotherapy ends without long-term effects except vasomotor symptoms and sexual dysfunction. |