Evaluating an educational supportive care program on functional status and quality of life among women with breast cancer post-mastectomy in Egypt

On May 21, 2026, Ashraf Jehad Abuejheisheh published a new study in “Palliative Care and Social Practice” titled “Evaluating an educational supportive care program on functional status and quality of life among women with breast cancer post-mastectomy in Egypt”. This research aimed to evaluate the effect of the educational supportive care program on fatigue, shoulder functional ability, and quality of life among women after mastectomy. A quasi-experimental research design was conducted at Tanta Cancer Center, Gharbia Governorate, Egypt (affiliated with the Ministry of Health and Population). A purposive sample of 84 women undergoing mastectomy was included in the study (intervention group included 42 women, and control group included 42 women). The results of the present study showed that, during the first week post-mastectomy, no statistically significant difference was observed between the two groups toward fatigue level, shoulder pain and disability, and all quality-of life domains. On the other hand, a highly statistically significant improvement was observed among the study group at 6 weeks and 3 months post the intervention, in which the study group showed significantly lower levels of fatigue, reduction in shoulder pain and shoulder-related disability, and quality-of-life scores increased in all domains. Additionally, there was a significant negative correlation between total quality-of-life scores and total fatigue, shoulder pain, and shoulder disability in both the study and control groups at all measurement times. In conclusion, the findings indicate that the educational supportive care program was associated with improvements in fatigue, shoulder functional ability, and quality of life among women after mastectomy. For more information about the study, please contact the main author at (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) or the scientific research office at (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).

Corresponding author:

Ashraf Jehad Abuejheisheh, RN, MSN, CNS, PhD; Assistant Professor, Nursing Department, Faculty of Health Professions, Al-Quds University, Abu Dis, Jerusalem-Palestine. Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  

Article link:

https://doi.org/10.1177/26323524261449266