Evaluating an educational supportive care program on functional status and quality of life among women with breast cancer post-mastectomy in Egypt.

Background: Women who have undergone mastectomy often report fatigue, shoulder dysfunction, and a diminished quality of life. Structured educational and supportive care programs have the potential to facilitate improved functional recovery and overall well-being post-surgery. Aim: This research aimed to evaluate the effect of the educational supportive care program on fatigue, shoulder functional ability, and quality of life among women after mastectomy. Design and methods: A quasi-experimental research design was conducted at Tanta Cancer Center, Gharbia Governorate, Egypt (affiliated with the Ministry of Health and Population). A purposive sample of 84 women undergoing mastectomy was included in the study (intervention group included 42 women, and control group included 42 women). Four tools were utilized (A demographic and cancer-related data sheet, cancer-related fatigue assessment (EORTC QLQ-FA12), shoulder pain and disability index (SPADI), and Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-general (FACT-G)). Means, standard deviations, frequencies, percentages, independent Results: The results of the present study showed that, during the first week post-mastectomy, no statistically significant difference was observed between the two groups toward fatigue level, shoulder pain and disability, and all quality-of-life domains. On the other hand, a highly statistically significant improvement was observed among the study group at 6 weeks and 3 months post the intervention, in which the study group showed significantly lower levels of fatigue, reduction in shoulder pain and shoulder-related disability, and quality-of-life scores increased in all domains. Additionally, there was a significant negative correlation between total quality-of-life scores and total fatigue, shoulder pain, and shoulder disability in both the study and control groups at all measurement times. Conclusion: The findings indicate that the educational supportive care program was associated with improvements in fatigue, shoulder functional ability, and quality of life among women after mastectomy. However, the quasi-experimental study may limit causal interference and the generalizability of the findings. Recommendation: In order to enhance women's functional status and their quality-of-life post-mastectomy, educational supportive care should be integrated into routine care.