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12-03-2025

Comparison of health-related quality of life trajectories in older breast cancer survivors and noncancerous controls over 10 years: A SEER-MHOS analysis

Authors: Maria Eduarda de Azevedo Daruge, Jianbin Zhu, Jaeyoung Park, Robert B. Hines, Eunkyung Lee

Published in: Journal of Cancer Survivorship

Abstract

Purpose

This study analyzed the long-term effects of cancer on the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of older breast cancer survivors for 10 years, including a control group to distinguish between the impacts of cancer treatment and aging.

Methods

The SEER-MHOS data resource was used in the analysis. Cases were 674 older women diagnosed with breast cancer in 1998–2015 at age 65 and older and participated in Medicare Health Outcomes Survey within 24 months before their cancer diagnosis and at least once within 10 years of post-diagnosis. Propensity score–matched controls (n = 674) were randomly selected from noncancer cohorts. Participants reported their HRQOL using SF-36/VR-12. Repeated measures two-way analysis of variance was used to assess the effects of time, group, and the interaction between time and group on long-term HRQOL trajectory up to 10 years of follow-up.

Results

At baseline, cases fared worse than controls in all HRQOL domains. Over time, physical component summary, physical functioning, general health, role limitation due to physical health, bodily pain, social functioning, and vitality worsened (P_time < 0.05) with significant differences between the groups at some points (P_group < 0.05), while mental component summary, mental health, and role limitation due to emotional problems remained relatively constant (P_time ≥ 0.05). Cases had consistently lower general health than controls with a greater gap at the end of observation.

Conclusions

Both cases and controls experienced physical HRQOL deterioration, but relatively stable mental HRQOL over 10 years.

Implications for cancer survivors

Early interventions focusing on physical health are warranted to maintain HRQOL among older women diagnosed with breast cancer.

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Title: Comparison of health-related quality of life trajectories in older breast cancer survivors and noncancerous controls over 10 years: A SEER-MHOS analysis
Authors: Maria Eduarda de Azevedo Daruge
Jianbin Zhu
Jaeyoung Park
Robert B. Hines
Eunkyung Lee
Publication date: 12-03-2025
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: Journal of Cancer Survivorship
Print ISSN: 1932-2259
Electronic ISSN: 1932-2267
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11764-025-01745-0

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Comparison of health-related quality of life trajectories in older breast cancer survivors and noncancerous controls over 10 years: A SEER-MHOS analysis

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Implications for cancer survivors

Elevate your expertise in aplastic anemia (Link opens in a new window)

Recent advances in the use of CAR T-cell therapies in relapsed/refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and follicular lymphoma

Podcast | Sexual health in older age

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Implications for cancer survivors

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Elevate your expertise in aplastic anemia (Link opens in a new window)

Recent advances in the use of CAR T-cell therapies in relapsed/refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and follicular lymphoma