Editorial: Quality of Life in Breast Cancer Patients and Survivors
Marco Invernizzi, Jisun Kim, Nicola Fusco
Abstract
Every year more than 2 million women receive a new diagnosis of breast cancer worldwide (1). However, thanks to the increasing effectiveness of the screening programs and treatment protocols, the number of people who die of this disease has declined (Nardin et al.). Nowadays, caregivers are expected not only to prolong their patients' life but also to preserve and improve their patients' wellness before, during, and after the treatment (2). The continuum from initial diagnosis of cancer through the rest of the life (commonly referred to as "survivorship") may evocate different issues and feelings to different subjects at different times (3). The ideal goal of survivorship is to return to, or even improve, the quality of life before diagnosis. This area incorporates a vast spectrum of concerns, such as treatment side effects, sexual life, pregnancy, social activities. In this complex scenario, a precision medicine approach is required to address quality of life issues and influence not only the decision-making but also treatment compliance.