Appendix D. DCIS QOL Treatment Considerations for Patients Who Received Radiotherapy Compared

Appendix D. DCIS QOL treatment considerations for patients who received radiotherapy compared to patients who did not

Relative Frequency (%) within each surgical group
QOL issue / Radiotherapy / No radiotherapy / Chi square test p value
PRIMARY ANALYSIS / Surgery &/or RT only2: n=38 / 14 / 24
SENSITIVITY ANALYSIS / Full sample3: n=101 / 56 / 45
Significant for both analysis samples
Difficulty looking at yourself naked / Surgery &/or RT only / 7.1 / 41.7 / 0.024*
Full sample / 7 / 29 / 0.004*
Loss of sensation at your donor site (if you had a mastectomy + reconstruction) / Surgery &/or RT only / 0 / 25 / 0.041*
Full sample / 2 / 24 / <.001*
Feeling unwell / Surgery &/or RT only / 28.6 / 0 / 0.006*
Full sample / 25 / 0 / <.001*
Significant for surgery and/or RT only
Problems with skin on or around the affected breast (itchy, dry, flaky) / Surgery &/or RT only / 21.4 / 0 / 0.018*
Full sample / 5 / 0 / 0.115
Significant for whole sample analysis only
Feeling physically less attractive / Surgery &/or RT only / 14.3 / 29.2 / 0.298
Full sample / 11 / 31 / 0.011*
Feeling satisfied with how your donor site would look after you had fully recovered from treatment (if you had a mastectomy + reconstruction) / Surgery &/or RT only / 0 / 33.3 / 0.15
Full sample / 5 / 24 / 0.006*
Stiffness or tightness at your donor site (if you had a mastectomy + reconstruction) / Surgery &/or RT only / 0 / 29.2 / 0.25
Full sample / 4 / 20 / 0.008*
Hot flushes / Surgery &/or RT only / 14.3 / 0 / 0.057
Full sample / 18 / 4 / 0.038*
Your ability to have sex / Surgery &/or RT only / 14.3 / 0 / 0.57
Full sample / 9 / 0 / 0.04*
Non-significant findings
Fear of the DCIS returning or getting worse / Surgery &/or RT only / 50 / 50 / 1
Full sample / 64 / 53 / 0.265
Worry about dying / Surgery &/or RT only / 14.3 / 29.2 / 0.298
Full sample / 39 / 36 / 0.701
Receiving emotional support from your family or friends / Surgery &/or RT only / 42.9 / 29.2 / 0.391
Full sample / 38 / 36 / 0.84
Financial difficulties caused by your physical condition or medical treatment / Surgery &/or RT only / 28.6 / 29.2 / 0.969
Full sample / 30 / 42 / 0.216
Feeling satisfied with your health / Surgery &/or RT only / 21.4 / 29.2 / 0.601
Full sample / 30 / 36 / 0.58
Your ability to enjoy life / Surgery &/or RT only / 50 / 25 / 0.117
Full sample / 36 / 24 / 0.222
Feeling content with your quality of life / Surgery &/or RT only / 21.4 / 20.8 / 0.965
Full sample / 29 / 24 / 0.641
Feeling satisfied with how your breast/s would look and feel after treatment / Surgery &/or RT only / 28.6 / 33.3 / 0.761
Full sample / 20 / 33 / 0.118
Worry about the effect of stress on your illness / Surgery &/or RT only / 21.4 / 25 / 0.803
Full sample / 18 / 33 / 0.073
Feeling close to your partner (or the person who is your main support) / Surgery &/or RT only / 21.4 / 33.3 / 0.435
Full sample / 23 / 27 / 0.689
Feeling tired / Surgery &/or RT only / 35.7 / 33.3 / 0.881
Full sample / 32 / 20 / 0.171
Needing to rest / Surgery &/or RT only / 42.9 / 25 / 0.253
Full sample / 30 / 18 / 0.145
Being limited in doing either your work or other daily activities / Surgery &/or RT only / 21.4 / 12.5 / 4.67
Full sample / 25 / 20 / 0.551
Trouble sleeping / Surgery &/or RT only / 21.4 / 20.8 / 0.965
Full sample / 30 / 16 / 0.082
Interference of your physical condition or medical treatment with your family life / Surgery &/or RT only / 21.4 / 16.7 / 0.715
Full sample / 18 / 24 / 0.417
Hair loss / Surgery &/or RT only / 14.3 / 8.3 / 0.564
Full sample / 21 / 16 / 0.453
Feeling unsatisfied, regretful or unhappy about your decision / Surgery &/or RT only / 7.1 / 12.5 / 0.604
Full sample / 20 / 16 / 0.594
Worry about your family members developing the same condition / Surgery &/or RT only / 0 / 12.5 / 0.168
Full sample / 13 / 20 / 0.305
Feeling less feminine / Surgery &/or RT only / 14.3 / 25 / 0.435
Full sample / 11 / 22 / 0.115
Feeling close to your family and friends / Surgery &/or RT only / 28.6 / 12.5 / 0.218
Full sample / 23 / 13 / 0.207
Difficulty remembering things / Surgery &/or RT only / 7.1 / 16.7 / 0.402
Full sample / 16 / 13 / 0.701
Feeling sexually attractive / Surgery &/or RT only / 14.3 / 16.7 / 0.846
Full sample / 13 / 16 / 0.659
Pain caused by radiotherapy / Surgery &/or RT only / 14.3 / 4.2 / 0.264
Full sample / 23 / 9 / 0.056
Feeling weak / Surgery &/or RT only / 14.3 / 16.7 / 0.846
Full sample / 18 / 11 / 0.898
Enjoying the things you usually do for fun / Surgery &/or RT only / 14.3 / 12.5 / 0.875
Full sample / 16 / 13 / 0.701
Feeling satisfied with family communication about your condition / Surgery &/or RT only / 0 / 20.8 / 0.067
Full sample / 11 / 18 / 0.307
Pain interfering with your daily activities / Surgery &/or RT only / 0 / 4.2 / 0.439
Full sample / 11 / 13 / 0.686
Ability to move your arm around, raise or move your arm sideways / Surgery &/or RT only / 0 / 16.7 / 0.106
Full sample / 9 / 16 / 0.306
Your family accepting your condition / Surgery &/or RT only / 0 / 20.8 / 0.067
Full sample / 21 / 11 / 0.168
Feeling sad / Surgery &/or RT only / 14.3 / 20.8 / 0.615
Full sample / 9 / 16 / 0.306
Difficulty doing strenuous activities like carrying a heavy shopping bag or suitcase / Surgery &/or RT only / 21.4 / 12.5 / 0.467
Full sample / 11 / 13 / 0.686
Your interest in sex / Surgery &/or RT only / 14.3 / 8.3 / 0.564
Full sample / 11 / 9 / 0.76
Swelling of your arm or shoulder / Surgery &/or RT only / 7.1 / 4.2 / 0.692
Full sample / 11 / 9 / 0.76
Pain in the affected breast / Surgery &/or RT only / 7.1 / 12.5 / 0.604
Full sample / 11 / 13 / 0.686
Feeling angry or irritable / Surgery &/or RT only / 0 / 16.7 / 0.106
Full sample / 13 / 11 / 0.83
Changes in your body weight / Surgery &/or RT only / 14.3 / 8.3 / 0.564
Full sample / 11 / 9 / 0.76
Swelling at your donor site (if you had a mastectomy + reconstruction) / Surgery &/or RT only / 0 / 16.7 / 0.106
Full sample / 4 / 13 / 0.071
Needing help eating, dressing, washing yourself or using the toilet / Surgery &/or RT only / 7.1 / 8.3 / 0.896
Full sample / 5 / 9 / 0.487
Interference of your physical condition or medical treatment with your social activities / Surgery &/or RT only / 21.4 / 4.2 / 0.094
Full sample / 13 / 4 / 0.158
Nausea / Surgery &/or RT only / 7.1 / 0 / 0.185
Full sample / 13 / 2 / 0.057
Affected breast feeling tight or uncomfortable / Surgery &/or RT only / 7.1 / 12.5 / 0.604
Full sample / 4 / 9 / 0.261
Being satisfied with your sex life / Surgery &/or RT only / 14.3 / 8.3 / 0.564
Full sample / 7 / 7 / 0.925
Being forced to spend time in bed / Surgery &/or RT only / 14.3 / 4.2 / 0.264
Full sample / 7 / 4 / 0.596
Pain in your arm or shoulder / Surgery &/or RT only / 100 / 100 / 1
Full sample / 2 / 7 / 0.211
Reduced or loss of sensation (feeling) in your arm or shoulder / Surgery &/or RT only / 0 / 8.3 / 0.267
Full sample / 2 / 7 / 0.211
Food or drink tasting different from usual / Surgery &/or RT only / 7.1 / 0 / 0.185
Full sample / 7 / 2 / 0.257
Difficulty concentrating on things like reading a newspaper or watching TV / Surgery &/or RT only / 0 / 8.3 / 0.267
Full sample / 4 / 7 / 0.476
Sexual enjoyment / Surgery &/or RT only / 7.1 / 8.3 / 0.896
Full sample / 5 / 4 / 0.834
Pain at your donor site (if you had a mastectomy + reconstruction) / Surgery &/or RT only / 0 / 8.3 / 0.267
Full sample / 4 / 7 / 0.476
Your arm or shoulder feeling weak / Surgery &/or RT only / 7.1 / 4.2 / 0.692
Full sample / 4 / 4 / 0.823
Diarrhoea / Surgery &/or RT only / 7.1 / 4.2 / 0.692
Full sample / 4 / 2 / 0.691
Difficulty taking a long or short walk / Surgery &/or RT only / 0 / 4.2 / 0.439
Full sample / 5 / 2 / 0.422
Affected breast feeling tender or over-sensitive / Surgery &/or RT only / 7.1 / 4.2 / 0.692
Full sample / 5 / 2 / 0.422
Frequency of sexual activity / Surgery &/or RT only / 0 / 4.2 / 0.439
Full sample / 2 / 4 / 0.434
Reduced appetite / Surgery &/or RT only / 100 / 100 / 1
Full sample / 2 / 2 / 0.876
Constipation / Surgery &/or RT only / 7.1 / 4.2 / 0.692
Full sample / 5 / 2 / 0.422
Feeling irritable / Surgery &/or RT only / 0 / 16.7 / 0.106
Full sample / 5 / 2 / 0.422
Your arm or shoulder feeling tender / Surgery &/or RT only / 0 / 4.2 / 0.439
Full sample / 0 / 4 / 0.111
Vomiting / Surgery &/or RT only / 7.1 / 0 / 0.185
Full sample / 5 / 0 / 0.115
Swelling of the affected breast / Surgery &/or RT only / 0 / 4.2 / 0.439
Full sample / 2 / 2 / 0.876
Stiffness in your arm or shoulder / Surgery &/or RT only / 100 / 100 / 1
Full sample / 4 / 0 / 0.2
Having a dry mouth / Surgery &/or RT only / 0 / 4.2 / 0.439
Full sample / 2 / 2 / 0.876
Painful, irritated or watery eyes / Surgery &/or RT only / 0 / 4.2 / 0.439
Full sample / 2 / 2 / 0.876
Feeling short of breath / Surgery &/or RT only / 100 / 100 / 1
Full sample / 2 / 0 / 0.368
Headaches / Surgery &/or RT only / 7.1 / 0 / 0.185
Full sample / 2 / 0 / 0.368

1 “Surgery &/or RT only” indicates that 63 participants who reported receiving chemotherapy, endocrine therapy or Herceptin were excluded from this analysis, leaving 38 participants who received surgery and /or radiotherapy only. 2 Full sample includes all 101 respondents to this question.