Dermocosmetology and breast cancer patients: effectiveness on physical and mental wellbeing

Background: Breast cancer (BC) treatments could be the cause of side effects affecting the skin which reduce compliance to therapy and negatively impact on the patients’ perception of Body Image, on their well-being and quality of life (QoL). Aim: The goal of this study is to evaluate if a specific dermatological treatment could reduce skin related side effects and consequently improve the patient’s well-being. Methods: Sixty-one women with BC were recruited. They were divided into two groups based on the treatments they were to undergo (radiotherapy or chemotherapy) and, in turn, each group was randomized in Experimental (EG) and Control Group (CG). For 28 days, EG use a specific dermatological treatment, while CG use a non-specific treatment. Participants were asked to perform 3 self-report instruments (Skindex-16, Body Image Scale, WHOQoL-Brief) at three points: At baseline (T0), after 7 days (T1) and after 28 days (T2). Results: After 28 days both EG showed statistical significative improvement in their symptomatology accompanied by a better perception of their Body Image. Data revealed that QoL in patients of both EG enhanced after 28 days of treatments regarding physical and psychological health, social relationship and environment. On the contrary patients belonging to both CG didn’t show the same level of improvement over time. Conclusions: Our results show that the use of specific dermatological products designed for the treatment of skin related side effects of cancer helps to reduce the negative impact of skin-related symptoms on HRQoL. Consequently, it leads women in terms of QoL.