Quality of Life in Long-Term Elderly Early-Stage Breast Cancer Survivors from Spain.

Authors

Juan Ignacio Arraras, Jose Juan Illarramendi, Ana Manterola, Susana de la Cruz, Angels Pont, Maria Jose Lecumberri, Berta Ibañez, Ruth Vera

Published in

Clinical breast cancer. Volume 26. Issue 10. Pages 77-84. Aug 22, 2026. Epub Aug 22, 2026.

Abstract

Maintaining a good Quality of Life (QOL) in older long-term breast cancer survivors (LTBCS) is a major challenge. Identifying which areas are most affected and what factors are associated with them can help to optimize the health care provided.
A total of 316 older (≥70 years) stage I-IIIA LTBCS from Spain were subjected to breast surgery ≥5 years earlier completed the EORTC QLQ-C30, QLQ-BR42 and QLQ-ELD14 on 2 occasions in the same year. QOL scores and their one-year evolution were described, and their associations with demographic (age: ≤75 years vs. >75 years and other variables) and clinical characteristics were assessed using nonparametric tests. Factors related to 2 key aspects of QOL specific to older patients assessed by the QLQ-ELD14 (mobility limitations and maintaining purpose) were also explored with linear regression models.
QOL scores were high (>80/100 points) in most areas. Limitations were moderate (>30 points) in sexual functioning/enjoyment, skeletal symptoms, and 3 scales specific to older patients. QOL differences between the 2 assessments were few and trivial. The >75 years group showed lower QOL than the ≤75 years group in 9 QLQ-C30 and 4 QLQ-ELD14 areas. Patients living with a partner and without radiotherapy showed better QOL. Combinations of lower symptoms and higher functioning with cohabitation and clinical variables were related to the 2 QLQ-ELD14 scales.
High QOL in older early-stage LTBCS from Spain indicated that patients adapted well to their situation. These results, relevant due to the high age of our participants, indicate areas for improvement.

PMID:
42748898
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 17 Sep 2026.

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