This is an exploratory and descriptive study that aimed to assess the quality of life of breast and intestinal cancer patients at the start and then three months after chemotherapy. For data collection, the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire was applied. The sample consisted of 21 patients, treated at a chemotherapy clinic in Ribeirão Preto-SP, Brazil, between October, 2005, and June, 2006. For data analysis, descriptive and inferential statistics were used. The results point out a decrease in physical, emotional, cognitive, and social functions with an increase in fatigue, nausea and vomiting, pain, insomnia, appetite loss, and diarrhea symptoms. Nevertheless, the mean general health state/quality of life assessment score increased three months after treatment, demonstrating that adjuvant chemotherapy positively affected quality of life.
Quality of life; Chemotherapy, adjuvant; Breast neoplasms; Intestinal neoplasms
