Background & objective: The general module of the system of quality of life instruments for cancer patients, QLICP-GM, has been developed by us. Based on it, this study was to develop and evaluate the quality of life instrument for patients with breast cancer (QLICP-BR).
Methods: Using the structured group methods of instrument development, the instrument with Chinese cultural background was developed, and evaluated by analyzing the data from 186 breast cancer patients.
Results: The test-retest reliability for the overall scale and 5 domains were all above 0.75. The internal consistency alpha for each domain was higher than 0.65 except social domain (0.58). Most correlation coefficients between each item and the domain (that the item belongs to) were above 0.60. The differences between the scores before treatment and the scores after treatment for overall scale, general module, physical domain, psychologic domain, and social domain were significant.
Conclusion: The QLICP-BR is of good validity, reliability and reasonable responsiveness, and can be used to assess quality of life for breast cancer patients.