Salehah Hamid Al Shaikh^1,, Samah Mahmoud Sofar²

Introduction: Chemotherapy is the most common therapeutic modality used in the treatment of breast cancer. It has different side effects, with associated degrees of disruption in quality of life. Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) is a multidimensional concept, considered as a subjective assessment of physical, social, psychological, and spiritual factors. The study aim: To assess factors affecting health related quality of life among women with breast cancer receiving chemotherapy. Design: Quantitative, descriptive correlational design was used. Setting: Chemotherapy Department, King Abdullah Medical City (KAMC) in Makkah. Sample: A convenient sample of 122 women was selected. Tools: Three tools were used for data collection. First, demographic and clinical data. Second, 36-Short Form version 1, and third, Factors affecting health related quality of life among women with breast cancer receiving chemotherapy questionnaire. Results: More than half 51.6% of the studied women were moderately affected regarding overall factors affecting health related quality of life. There was a significant negative relationship between psychological factors and quality of life (P < 0.001). Conclusion: The majority of studied women had moderately affected by overall social factors and nearly two third had moderately affected by overall psychological factors. While more than half were moderately affected by overall physical and spiritual factors. Moreover, women had moderate level of overall QOL. Recommendation: The study recommended for further research to develop self-care practices educational program for women with breast cancer receiving chemotherapy.

factors affecting health, health related quality of life, breast cancer, chemotherapy