Bulletin of Business and Economics, 12(3), 469-472 https://bbejournal.com https://doi.org/10.61506/01.00055 469 Psychological Burden of Breast Cancer Predicted Quality of Life: A Case Study of Multan Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Radiology Dr. Haleema Perveen 1 , Saima Ayyaz 2 , Saima Abbas 3 , Muhammad Kamran Sagur 4 , Rafay Ali 5 , Motasem Hassan Mirza 6 Abstract Breast cancer is a highly prevalent cancer in females worldwide, with new cases around one million every year. The study was aimed to investigate psychological burden and quality of among women with breast cancer. The nature of study was quantitative that was completed through correlational research design. Questionnaires were administered with breast cancer patients by conducting a survey as method of data collection. Sample of 139 breast cancer patients were recruited from Multan Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Radiology through purposive sampling technique. Findings of study reveal that depression, anxiety and stress are the most frequent psychological disorders in BC patients. In addition, psychological burden due to BC among women is a significant negative predictor of quality of life. Moreover, results suggest that young breast cancer patients reported propounding level of psychological problems. Several psychotherapeutic and supportive approaches have proven effective in managing psychological disorders in BC patients. Keyword: Breast cancer, psychological burden, quality of life 1. Introduction Breast cancer is the most common cancer among females worldwide. Breast cancer patients suffer from several negative consequences after breast cancer complications or treatment and these include pain, fatigue, sexual problems, and appearance and body image concerns, with psychological dysfunction. This could affect the patient quality of life and psychological well- being (Mokhatri-Hesari & Montazeri, 2020).Breast cancer treatment could include different therapies like partial or total mastectomy, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy with or without systemic hormonal therapy, depending on stage and estrogen receptor status at diagnosis. This is associated with short- and long-term complications such as pain, lymphedema, reduced vaginal lubrication, and hot flashes due to long-term hormonal therapy (Armitage, 2002). A cross sectional study from one cancer center in Jeddah showed a good quality of life scores and identified areas that need further support, such fatigue, insomnia, hair loss (Imran et al., 2019). Another study was in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on breast cancer survivors showed a low overall global quality of life (Almutairi et al., 2016). Intermediate survivors who completed their main treatment regimen could suffer from different quality of life and psychological impairments, and this could go unnoticed if the focus is on the clinical points (Mokhatri-Hesari & Montazeri, 2020). 1.1. Psychological Burden among Breast Cancer Psychological disorders such as anxiety, anger, and depression are more severe in these patients than physical complications. There have been cases where patients have deserted chemotherapy due to their psychological disorders. The quality of life and daily functioning of cancer patients are strongly affected by mental disorders (Pedram et al., 2010). Previous research has revealed that educated patients, married patients with high emotional relationships, and patients with medium socioeconomic levels are more prone to psychological disorders (El-Hadidy et al., 2012). There is a clear relationship between increased cancer pain in patients and some forms of stress such as depression, anxiety, and mood disorders (Fischer et al., 2010). As shown in studies, adjustment disorder is the most frequent psychiatric disorder in cancer patients, followed by depressive disorder (Musarezaie et al., 2015). Although cancer-related disorders can lead to incompatibility and imbalance in the body and mind of patients, the most prevalent states are hopelessness and despair (Pedram et al., 2010). Cancer patients are at a higher risk (about 4 times higher) to experience severe and persistent depressive disorders than the healthy population (Nezami et al., 2020). It is reported that about half of the patients have been detected with symptoms of depression, anxiety, mood swings, and adaptive disorders (Sajadian et al., 2016). 1.2. Quality of Life among Breast Cancer Breast cancer patients’ quality of life (QoL) is severely reduced with the cancer symptoms and side effects of the therapies. Indeed, physical and psychosocial functioning, family life, couple relations, and working ability affect the QoL in this population (Krigel et al., 2014). Physical QoL and activity was severely diminished by symptoms such as severe pain, nausea, gastrointestinal discomfort, flu-like symptoms, cardiovascular dysfunction, edema, stomatitis, neuropathies, muscles and joints stiffness, dyspnea, dizziness, sleep problems, hair loss and menopausal symptoms (Lee Mortensen et al., 2018). 1.3. Anxiety, Depression and Quality of Life in Breast Cancer Patients Breast cancer and its subsequent treatment are a great source of anxiety and depression in patients (Jones et al., 2015). One can expect a patient to experience a decline in his/her perceived quality of life during cancer therapy. Surgery, radiation, chemotherapy and other kinds of interventions carry an array of side effects. Some of these adverse events are well tolerated by patients but many can be debilitating. Many studies have highlighted the importance of providing early management for depression and anxiety in breast cancer patients. This can help improve survival rates and quality of life, as well as reduce 1 Government Graduate College for Women, Mumtazabad, Multan, Pakistan, haleemapk5@gmail.com 2 Department of Professional Psychology, Bahria University Lahore Campus, Pakistan, saimaayyaz04@gmail.com 3 Department of Psychology, University of Cyberjava, Malaysia, saimatherapist5@gmail.com 4 Institute of Southern Punjab, Multan, Pakistan, kamransagur@outlook.com 5 Department of Professional Psychology, Bahria University Lahore Campus, Pakistan, rafayali0316@gmail.com 6 Department of Professional Psychology, Bahria University Lahore Campus, Pakistan, motasimmirza7@gmail.com