As it was reported earlier, breast cancer recurrence is an issue observed in 20 percent patients. Experts from the University of Missouri School of Health Professions now assert that after chemotherapy, quality of life among breast cancer patients depends on the environments and available support systems. It was observed that those reluctant to seek out social support, including therapy and informal support networks have a lower quality of life and greater incidences of depression.
Even the patients’ homes seem to be a factor in declining quality of life and functional well-being for women returning to rural areas after chemotherapy. Scientists observed that women residing in rural areas report rise in breast cancer related symptoms like body-image issues and fatigue. People in rural areas may prefer sharing close relationships with family, the community and religious organizations. However, such informal support systems probably lack mental health and health issues knowledge that are seemingly available from health care professionals.
Many a times, people supposedly get mentally and emotionally ready to deal with chemotherapy and are provided with the required support and care. But after chemotherapy ends care has to be continued. Presumably due to proximity of more mental health services, patients returning to urban areas after breast cancer treatment have less symptoms of depression and a higher quality of life. Stephanie Reid-Arndt, an assistant professor of health psychology in the School of Health Profession, and colleagues believe that breast cancer patients seeking professional support even after chemotherapy have better quality of life.