JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Breast cancer remains a major public health problem globally and in Indonesia. Beyond diagnosis and treatment, increasing attention has been directed toward survivorship outcomes, quality of life (QoL), and patient-centered supportive oncology care. Self-efficacy may play an important role in how patients manage symptoms, cope with treatment-related challenges, communicate care needs, and maintain well-being during survivorship.

Objective:

This study aimed to identify demographic, clinical, and psychosocial factors associated with QoL among patients with breast cancer at Faisal Islamic Hospital, Makassar, Indonesia, with emphasis on implications for patient-centered supportive oncology care and self-efficacy–based survivorship support.

Methods:

This cross-sectional observational study included 38 adult women with breast cancer who were receiving treatment or follow-up care at Faisal Islamic Hospital, Makassar. Participants were recruited using purposive sampling. Demographic and clinical data were collected using structured questionnaires and medical record review. QoL was assessed using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30. Self-efficacy was assessed using a structured questionnaire evaluating patients’ confidence in managing treatment-related challenges, symptom control, emotional adaptation, and treatment adherence. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, bivariate analysis, and multivariable logistic regression.

Results:

The mean global health status/QoL score was 65.53 (SD 18.57), indicating moderate overall QoL. Emotional functioning had the highest mean functional-domain score, whereas physical functioning had the lowest. Fatigue and pain were the most prominent symptom burdens. In bivariate analysis, QoL was significantly associated with age (P=.027), cancer stage (P=.028), duration of illness (P=.026), and self-efficacy (P=.011). In the multivariable logistic regression model, self-efficacy remained independently associated with QoL (odds ratio 8.709; P=.024), whereas age and treatment type were not statistically significant.

Conclusions:

Self-efficacy was independently associated with better QoL among patients with breast cancer in this Indonesian hospital-based oncology setting. These findings suggest that survivorship outcomes are shaped not only by clinical characteristics but also by patients perceived ability to manage illness-related challenges. Integrating self-efficacy assessment, psychosocial counseling, patient education, and symptom self-management support into routine oncology services may strengthen patient-centered supportive care and survivorship support for patients with breast cancer in Indonesia.