OBJECTIVES: This study aimed at estimating the quality of life (QoL) and health utilities of female patients with breast cancer in Portugal, and to explore the association of these utilities with clinical and socioeconomic characteristics.

METHODS: This cross-sectional study was based on the application of EQ-5D-5L, online, with the support of the Portuguese Cancer League, in 2021. Utilities were calculated based on the Portuguese value set, and the association with type of treatment, age group, income and education were examined using t-test and one-way ANOVA.

RESULTS: A total of 831 women, aged 26-80 years, currently on treatment (n=207) or in remission (n=624) answered the questionnaire. Mean utility value was 0.819 (SD=0.161) and mean VAS score was 67.669 (SD=20.111). Women currently on treatment reported worse mean health utility than those in remission (0.780 vs 0.832, p<0.001), and a lower VAS (60.232 vs 70.136, p<0.001). Specifically, women in treatment reported moderate or worse problems in self-care, usual activities, and pain domains. We did not find statistically significant differences in mean health utility by current or past treatment type (i.e., in women who underwent surgery, or chemotherapy, radiotherapy, hormone therapy or targeted therapies), and between age groups. Women in the lowest income category (i.e., less than 500€) reported a mean utility of 0.746 and women in the highest category (i.e., ≥2,001€) reported a mean utility of 0.843. One-way ANOVA showed statistically significant differences across income categories (F(1.203)=8.36, p<0.01). Finally, women without higher education reported a significantly worse mean health utility than those with a university degree (0.800 vs 0.831, p<0.01).

CONCLUSIONS: Results show that women currently in treatment have lower QoL, but that QoL does not vary significantly with the type of treatment. Low income and a lower education level are significantly related to a lower QoL. Additionally, these results can potentially inform economic evaluation studies.