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Purpose of the Research: The aims of the present study were to examine patients' perceptions of received information and satisfaction with information after completion of adjuvant radiotherapy (RT) for breast cancer. Associations between satisfaction with information and health related quality of life (HRQoL), and clinical variables were also studied., Methods and Sample: A total of 93 consecutive women planned for adjuvant RT were asked to complete two questionnaires (EORTC QLQ-C30 and QLQ-INFO25) in connection with their last treatment., Key Results: A total of 88 patients (95%) responded. The mean values for the information subscale scores, on a 0 to 100 point scale (QLQ-INFO25) regarding "the treatments" and "the disease" were 46 and 53 respectively. A total of 48% of the patients expressed a wish for more information. Patients treated with chemotherapy previous to RT reported statistically significant lower levels of information about "the disease". Age was statistically significant related to satisfaction with received information. Younger women were less satisfied with the information received, and a higher proportion wanted more information (55%), as well among women treated with chemotherapy previous to RT (63%). Patients satisfied with information scored significantly higher on global health status and emotional functioning and reported less fatigue. Positive associations were found between "satisfaction with information" and HRQoL., Conclusions: Improvements of information to breast cancer patients during their treatments are needed. The results also underline the need for patient-centred information in general and that extra attention should be paid to younger women and patients undergoing combined treatment., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: To describe and analyze how women with breast cancer experience breathing adapted radiation therapy (BART) and to explore how women manage daily radiation therapy., Method: Individual interviews were conducted with 20 women treated with BART for breast cancer concerning their perception of radiation therapy. The transcribed interviews were analyzed using qualitative content analysis., Results: 'The breath of life' was the overall theme, as the women experienced the breathing as a way in which to influence their treatment and thus their survival. 'Participating in one's treatment, for good or ill', was the main category with four subcategories, 'Knowing one has done something good', 'Getting an extra bonus - healthwise', 'The experience of being in control' and 'Being in a high-technology environment'. The breathing technique became the strategy by which they could manage their treatment and gave them a sense of participation which led to a feeling of being in control. The women also felt that breathing benefited their health both mentally and physically. The high-technology environment was experienced as both hopeful and frightening., Conclusion: Survival or increasing the chances of survival, are of ultimate importance for a woman with breast cancer. BART requires commitment from the women, which was perceived as offering them an opportunity to participate in their own treatment, for their survival. Increasing the women's possibilities to participate in their treatment benefits their health and welfare during an otherwise turbulent time and allow the rehabilitation process to start during treatment., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The purpose of the present study was twofold: first, to describe changes of Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) during the adjuvant treatment among postmenopausal women with breast cancer; second, in the same population to identify the best predictors of Overall Quality of Life (QoL) after treatment, from perceived functioning, symptoms, emotional distress and clinical/demographic variables measured at baseline. The study group was 150 women (> or = 55 years of age) scheduled for adjuvant chemotherapy (CT, n=75) or radiotherapy (RT, n=75). They were examined before (baseline), during and after completing the treatment. Data about QoL, perceived functioning, symptoms and emotional distress were collected with the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC)-QLQ-C30, BR23 and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) questionnaires. The general finding was that the adjuvant treatments were associated with decrease in overall QoL, physical and role functioning, anxiety and body image, as well as with increase in fatigue, dyspnoea, pain, nausea/vomiting, constipation and systemic therapy side effects measured over time. For women receiving CT, better emotional functioning and less pain at baseline predicted better overall QoL at the end of the treatment. For women receiving RT, better physical and emotional functioning, less breast symptoms and lower tumour stage at baseline predicted better overall QoL at the end of the treatment.