**2. Impact of cancer on patients' quality of life (QoL)**

Cancer sufferers' symptoms tend to be quite varied. If symptoms are not properly managed, it can interfere with a person's ability to go about their regular routine. The suffering can be lessened and quality of life (QoL) enhanced through the management of symptoms. Patients with cancer report significant decreases in QoL due to their symptoms. High levels of emotional distress, low levels of physical and social functioning, and a generally lower QoL have all been linked to a greater symptom load. As a result, QoL in cancer patients can be enhanced with careful symptom control [2].

Malathi and colleagues conducted a survey study among 768 Indian patients suffering from several types of solid cancer diseases. The aim was to detect the impact of cancer on patients QoL. Results showed that patients between the ages of 51 and 60 made up 30.2% of the total, and the majority of those patients had head and neck cancer (40.1%), with 57.7% having advanced stages of the disease. Most patients (82.3%) reported that their symptoms reduced their QoL, i.e., cancer disease negatively impacts their QoL [2].

A review study included 82 review articles focused on QoL of breast cancer patients published between 2008 and 2018. The aim was to expand current understanding of how breast cancer affects patients' QoL. Overall, this review showed that the QoL of women with breast cancer has improved over the past decade. The QoL of this cohort was significantly enhanced by a number of relatively straightforward interventions, including increased physical exercise and psychosocial support. However, there are

many other aspects that need to be taken into account, including the management of symptoms such as pain and lymphedema, concerns associated to worry, sexual function, especially for young patients, and future outcomes. This review also found that there has been significant progress in addressing methodological concerns related to evaluating QoL in breast cancer patients; however, there is still much work to be done before we have a complete picture of what matters most to these individuals [3].
