Table 3 Frequency of QoL measures

Functional Assessment of Cancer - Breast Cancer (FACT-B). This 44-item self-report instrument was designed to measure multidimensional QoL in patients with breast cancer. The FACT-B includes the FACT-G with four domains covering physical, emotional, social/family and functional well-being and a Breast Cancer Subscale measuring the adverse effects of endocrine therapy [21]

13

Ashing-Giwa, K. T, 2010 [33], DiSipio, T., 2009 [35], Goyal, N., 2018 [23], Janz, N., 2014 [26], Manning-Walsh, J., 2005 [48], Morrill, F., 2008 [54], Northouse, L., 1999 [38], Paek, M.S., 2016 [47], Paek, M.S., 2016 [25], Taylor, T., 2012 [30] Avis N.E. 2005 [41]. DeShields T 2006 [24], Wildes, K., 2009 [49]

Medical Outcomes Study Short Form (SF-36). This questionnaire consists of an eight-item scale. The scales consist of: physical functioning, general health, vitality, social functioning, emotional, and mental health. All scales load onto one of two distinct concepts, the physical component summary or the mental component summary [55]

8

Lewis, J., 2001 [37], Paek, M.S., 2016 [47], Huang, C.Y., 2013 [36], Ashing-Giwa, K. T, 2010 [33], Ganz P.A., 2003 [52], Petersen, L.R.,2008 [50], Bouskill, K., 2016 [53], Bellizzi K.M., 2010 [27]

The European Organisation of Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30). This questionnaire consists of 30 items incorporating nine multi-item scales: five functional scales (physical, role, cognitive, emotional, and social); three symptom scales (fatigue, pain, and nausea and vomiting); and a global health and quality-of-life scale [22]

6

Akechi, T., 2015 [45], Cheng, A.S.K., 2016 [43], Dura-Ferrandis, E., 2016 [28], Kim, S. H.., 2008 [44], Edib Z, 2016 [56], Koch, L, 2014 [29]

The European Organisation of Research and Cancer Treatment Quality of Life Questionnaire - Breast Cancer (QLQ-BR23). This questionnaire consists of 23-items covering symptoms and side effects related to different treatment modalities, body image, sexuality, and future perspective [57]

3

Koch, L, 2014 [29], Begovic-Juhant, A., 2012 [42], Kim, S. H.., 2008 [44]

Quality of Life Index - Cancer Version (QLI-CV).This 33-item questionnaire consists of four subscales: health and functioning, socioeconomic, psychological/spiritual, and family [58]

3

Farren, A., 2010 [51], Sammarco, A., 2008 [32], Pedro L.W.,2001 [39]

Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy - General (FACT-G).This 27-item questionnaire has four primary QoL domains covering physical, emotional, social/family and functional well-being [21]

2

Begovic-Juhant, A., 2012 [42], Simone S.M.H., 2013 [31]

Ladder of Life provides a global single-item QOL score. Respondents are shown a stepladder with rungs from 1 to 10, where 1 represents the worst possible life and 10 represents the best possible life, and asked to circle the number that represents how they feel at the present time [59]

2

Avis N.E. 2005 [41], Ganz P.A., 2003 [52]

Quality of Life Measurement (QoL-M) assesses physical, psychological, and social aspects of adaptation to breast cancer. The tool consists of 28 items placed on 10 cm linear analog scales to measure the perceived degree of disruption related to specific side effects and outcomes of breast cancer treatment. The items assess outcomes related to emotion regulation, problem regulation, and general QOL [46]

1

Kessler, T., 2002 [46]

Quality of Life in Adult Cancer Survivors (QLACS). This 47-items questionnaire consists of 12 domains. 7 are considered generic and 5 cancer-specific. Generic domains include: physical pain, negative feelings, positive feelings, cognitive problems, sexual problems, social avoidance, and fatigue. Cancer-specific domains include financial problems resulting from cancer, distress about family, distress about recurrence, appearance concerns, and benefits of cancer [60]

1

Carver, C. S., 2006 [13]

Quality of Life Cancer Survivor Version (QOL-CS). This 41-items questionnaire consists of four QoL domains incorporating physical, psychological, social, and spiritual well-being [61]

1

Cheng, H., 2013 [34]

Global Life Satisfaction Scale (GLSS) - adapted from the Ladder of Life - asks individuals to respond to their global life satisfaction on each of three ladders for “right now,” “in 5 years,” and “compared to most people”. The ladder is a vertical, self-anchoring scale with 10 rungs. Scaling responses range from 0 (worst possible life) to 10 (best possible life) [59]

1

Kessler, T., 2002 [46]