Trajectories of health-related quality of life in breast cancer patients.

Less than half of the total number of patients maintained a medium level of overall HRQoL after diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer, and nearly 60% continued to have lower overall HRQoL even after the treatment was complete. Older participants with more severe economic burden and higher depression experienced lower and more persistent overall HRQoL; thus, these patients should be monitored and provided supportive care as a part of survivorship care.