TLDR Many young women with breast cancer experience poor quality of life, especially in sexual health and hair loss, but future outlook improves over time.
The study evaluated the quality of life (QoL) changes in young women with breast cancer (YWBC) in Mexico over 5 years, involving 477 participants aged ≤40 years. It identified two trajectory groups: "good" and "poor," with 62% in the poor group, experiencing significant declines in sexual enjoyment and distress related to hair loss. Factors like having HER2-positive breast cancer and public health insurance were linked to a better QoL trajectory. The study underscores the long-term impact of breast cancer treatments on QoL, particularly in sexual health and emotional distress from hair loss, highlighting the need for comprehensive care and support services. Management strategies for hair loss distress, such as wigs and scalp-cooling devices, were noted, and the study calls for interventions tailored to the unique needs of YWBC. Limitations include potential reporting bias and missing data.
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