Impact and Association of Anaemia Severity and Its Treatment With Quality of Life of Breast Cancer Patients in Malaysia

Abstract Purpose This study aimed to assess the level of anaemia severity, evaluate the current treatment practice of anaemia, and to determine the association between anaemia level and its management on quality of life of breast cancer patients in Malaysia. Methods A prospective study design was conducted among breast cancer patients in multicancer centers in Malaysia including three follow ups. Clinical data were collected from their medical records and at each follow up, they were required to fill in a functional assessment chronic therapy (FACT-An) questionnaire. Descriptive and inferential statistical analysis were done using SPSS. Results Out of 120 participants, 32% received anaemia treatment. Out of 32% who received anti-anaemic medication, the majority of patients (87%) were prescribed with iron supplementation and only 13% received combination of blood transfusion and iron therapy and no one received erythropoietin stimulating agents (ESAs). Findings reported that the curve of the mean of QOL score and Hb level significantly declined across the three follow-ups (p<0.005). Statistical tests also indicated a significant association between anti-anaemic treatments with haemoglobin level and QOL scores. However, this association was insufficient to significantly improve QOL or palliate anaemia severity among participants.Conclusion There is still a lot of gaps to improve in the management of anaemia among breast cancer patients to show a significant improvement in haemoglobin level. Therefore, respective organisations and oncologists are required to raise awareness about the optimal treatment of anaemia among breast cancer patients, as a result, improve general wellbeing of them.