Social support as a determinant of health-related quality of life in breast cancer survivors in California.

118 Background: To evaluate the relationship between perceived social support and HRQOL (physical and emotional) in low SES (Socio economic status) breast cancer survivors. METHODS A cross-sectional study design was used to measure perceived social support at 18 months and HRQOL at 3 years after breast cancer diagnosis using MOS SS and MOS SF-36, respectively. Multiple regression analyses were used to evaluate the relationship. RESULTS Menopause at the time of diagnosis, adjunct chemotherapy, adjunct radiation therapy, co-morbidities, treatment side effects and depression were negatively associated with PCS scores (p < 0.01). Treatment side effects, anxiety and depression were negatively associated with MCS scores (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS Perceived social support was not associated with HRQOL in low SES breast cancer survivors in our study. Menopause, co-morbidities, treatment side effect, adjunct chemotherapy and radiation therapy adversely affect physical HRQOL. Feelings of anxiety, depression and treatment side effects have a negative impact on emotional HRQOL.