Personality, coping, and social support as predictors of long-term quality-of-life trajectories in older breast cancer survivors: CALGB protocol 369901 (Alliance)

Background To determine long-term quality-of-life (QOL) trajectories among breast cancer survivors aged 65+ (older) evaluating the effects of personality and social support. Methods Older women (N = 1280) newly examined with invasive, nonmetastatic breast cancer completed baseline assessments. Follow-up data were collected 6 and 12 months later and then annually for up to 7 years (median 4.5 years). Quality of life was assessed using EORTC-QLQ-C30 emotional, physical, and cognitive scales. Optimism (Life Orientation Test), Coping (Brief COPE), and social support (Medical Outcomes Study) were assessed at baseline. Group-based trajectory modeling identified QOL trajectories; multinomial regre…