---
title: "Early postoperative quality of life and psychological symptoms after breast cancer surgery: roles"
id: "pubmed-42814228"
canonical_url: "https://medichelpline.com/clinical-feed/pubmed-42814228"
content_type: "clinical_feed_article"
specialty: "Oncology"
source_name: "PubMed / NCBI"
source_url: "https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42814228/"
doi: "10.1007/s00520-026-11278-6"
published_at: "2026-09-30T00:00:00.000Z"
evidence_level: "Journal Article"
license: "CC-BY-NC-4.0 / Informational Use"
---
# Early postoperative quality of life and psychological symptoms after breast cancer surgery: roles
## Provenance & Clinical Metadata
- **Canonical URL:** https://medichelpline.com/clinical-feed/pubmed-42814228
- **Specialty:** [Oncology](https://medichelpline.com/clinical-feed/oncology.md)
- **Primary Source:** PubMed / NCBI
- **Source URL:** [Original Journal Publication](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42814228/)
- **DOI:** [10.1007/s00520-026-11278-6](https://doi.org/10.1007%2Fs00520-026-11278-6)
- **Published At:** 2026-09-30T00:00:00.000Z
- **Evidence Rating:** Journal Article
## Executive GIST (TL;DR)
- Prospective observational cohort of 101 women with breast cancer assessed in the first days after surgery (T0) and 1 month later (T1). - Measures: EuroQol Five-Dimension Five-Level (QoL), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Numeric Rating Scale (pain), QuickDASH (upper limb disability), and an adapted Chronic Pain Acceptance Questionnaire (disease acceptance). - Group-level change: **quality of life** increased and **psychological symptoms** (anxiety and depressive symptoms) decreased from T0 to T1. - Linear mixed models showed that once **perceived pain**, **upper limb disability**, and **disease acceptance** were included, the assessment time point (T0 vs T1) was not significantly associated with QoL or psychological symptoms. - **Perceived pain** and **upper limb disability** were independently negatively associated with QoL. - **Upper limb disability** was positively associated with **depressive symptoms**. - **Disease acceptance** was negatively associated with both **anxiety** and **depressive symptoms**, suggesting a protective relationship. - Authors conclude that early improvements can occur within the first post-operative month but that pain, arm function, and acceptance better explain QoL and mood than timing alone. - Clinical implication: timely multidisciplinary rehabilitation addressing pain, arm disability, and disease acceptance may be important in early post-operative care. - Ethics: study approved by a Territorial Ethics Committee (protocol 53-2023); informed consent obtained. Details about effect sizes, model coefficients, and specific numeric results were not reported in the abstract.
## Clinical Analysis & Structured Key Points
Clipboard, Search History, and several other advanced features are temporarily unavailable. [ Skip to main page content ](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42814228/#article-details) ![U.S. flag](https://cdn.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/coreutils/uswds/img/favicons/favicon-57.png) An official website of the United States government Here's how you know ![Dot gov](https://cdn.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/coreutils/uswds/img/icon-dot-gov.svg) **The .gov means it’s official.** Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site. ![Https](https://cdn.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/coreutils/uswds/img/icon-https.svg) **The site is secure.** The **https://** ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely. [ ![NIH NLM Logo](https://cdn.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/coreutils/nwds/img/logos/AgencyLogo.svg) ](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/) [Log in](https://account.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?back_url=https%3A%2F%2Fpubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2F42814228%2F) Show account info Close #### Account Logged in as: **username** * [Dashboard](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/myncbi/) * [Publications](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/myncbi/collections/bibliography/) * [Account settings](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/account/settings/) * [Log out](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/account/signout/?back_url=https%3A//pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42814228/) [Access keys](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/guide/browsers/#ncbi_accesskeys) [NCBI Homepage](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov) [MyNCBI Homepage](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/myncbi/) [Main Content](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42814228/#maincontent) [Main Navigation](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42814228/) [ ![pubmed logo](https://cdn.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/a447896c-976f-490b-b86b-2668b65114a8/core/images/pubmed-logo-blue.svg) ](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/) [ ](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42814228/ "Show search bar") Search: [](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42814228/ "Clear search input")Search [Advanced](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/advanced/) [ Clipboard ](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/clipboard/) [ User Guide ](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/help/) Save Email Send to * [ Clipboard ](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42814228/) * [My Bibliography](https://account.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?back_url=https%3A%2F%2Fpubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2F42814228%2F%23open-bibliography-panel) * [Collections](https://account.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?back_url=https%3A%2F%2Fpubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2F42814228%2F%23open-collections-panel) * [Citation manager](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42814228/) Display options Display options Format Abstract PubMed PMID ## Save citation to file Format: Summary (text) PubMed PMID Abstract (text) CSV Create file Cancel ## Email citation Email address has not been verified. Go to [ My NCBI account settings ](https://account.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/settings/) to confirm your email and then refresh this page. To: Subject: Body: Format: Summary Summary (text) Abstract Abstract (text) MeSH and other data Send email Cancel ### Add to Collections * Create a new collection * Add to an existing collection Name your collection: Name must be less than 100 characters Choose a collection: Unable to load your collection due to an error [Please try again](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42814228/) Add Cancel ### Add to My Bibliography * My Bibliography Unable to load your delegates due to an error [Please try again](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42814228/) Add Cancel ## Your saved search Name of saved search: Search terms: [Test search terms](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42814228/) Would you like email updates of new search results? Saved Search Alert Radio Buttons * Yes * No Email: ([change](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/account/settings/)) Frequency: Monthly Weekly Daily Which day? The first Sunday The first Monday The first Tuesday The first Wednesday The first Thursday The first Friday The first Saturday The first day The first weekday Which day? Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Report format: Summary Summary (text) Abstract Abstract (text) PubMed Send at most: 1 item 5 items 10 items 20 items 50 items 100 items 200 items Send even when there aren't any new results Optional text in email: Save Cancel ## Create a file for external citation management software Create file Cancel ## Your RSS Feed Name of RSS Feed: Number of items displayed: 5 10 15 20 50 100 Create RSS Cancel RSS Link Copy ### Actions Cite Collections Add to Collections * Create a new collection * Add to an existing collection Name your collection: Name must be less than 100 characters Choose a collection: Unable to load your collection due to an error [Please try again](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42814228/) Add Cancel Permalink Permalink Copy Display options Display options Format Abstract PubMed PMID ### Experimental Resource Linked Discoveries ### Page navigation * [ Title & authors ](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42814228/#heading) * [ Abstract ](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42814228/#abstract) * [ Conflict of interest statement ](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42814228/#conflict-of-interest) * [ References ](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42814228/#references) * [ Publication types ](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42814228/#publication-types) * [ MeSH terms ](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42814228/#mesh-terms) Title & authors Abstract Conflict of interest statement References Publication types MeSH terms Observational Study Support Care Cancer Actions * [ Search in PubMed ](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=%22Support+Care+Cancer%22%5Bjour%5D&sort=date&sort_order=desc) * [ Search in NLM Catalog ](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/nlmcatalog?term=%22Support+Care+Cancer%22%5BTitle+Abbreviation%5D) * [ Add to Search ](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42814228/) . 2026 Sep 30;34(10):1037. doi: 10.1007/s00520-026-11278-6. # Early post-operative changes in quality of life and psychological symptoms after breast cancer surgery: the role of perceived pain, upper limb disability, and disease acceptance [Carlo Lai](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=Lai+C&cauthor_id=42814228)[ 1 ](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42814228/#full-view-affiliation-1 "Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, and Health Studies, Sapienza University of Rome, Via Degli Apuli, 1, 00185, Rome, Italy. carlo.lai@uniroma1.it."), [Emanuele Giraldi](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=Giraldi+E&cauthor_id=42814228)[ 2 ](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42814228/#full-view-affiliation-2 "Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, and Health Studies, Sapienza University of Rome, Via Degli Apuli, 1, 00185, Rome, Italy."), [Teresa Paolucci](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=Paolucci+T&cauthor_id=42814228)[ 3 ](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42814228/#full-view-affiliation-3 "Department of Oral Medical Sciences and Biotechnology \(DSMOB\), "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100, Chieti, Italy.")[ 4 ](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42814228/#full-view-affiliation-4 "Center for Sport, Disability and Rehabilitation \(CARES\), "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100, Chieti, Italy.")[ 5 ](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42814228/#full-view-affiliation-5 "Biobehavioral Arts and Culture for Health, Sustainability and Social Cohesion \(BACH\), "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100, Chieti, Italy."), [Alice Cichelli](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=Cichelli+A&cauthor_id=42814228)[ 6 ](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42814228/#full-view-affiliation-6 "Department of Theoretical and Applied Sciences \(DiSTA\), eCampus University, 22060, Novedrate, Italy.")[ 7 ](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42814228/#full-view-affiliation-7 "Behavioral Imaging and Neural Dynamics Center \(BIND\), "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100, Chieti, Italy."), [Sofia Mazzani](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=Mazzani+S&cauthor_id=42814228)[ 2 ](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42814228/#full-view-affiliation-2 "Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, and Health Studies, Sapienza University of Rome, Via Degli Apuli, 1, 00185, Rome, Italy."), [Stefano Delli Pizzi](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=Delli+Pizzi+S&cauthor_id=42814228)[ 8 ](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42814228/#full-view-affiliation-8 "Department of Neuroscience, Imaging, and Clinical Sciences, University «G. d'Annunzio» of Chieti-Pescara, 66100, Chieti, Italy."), [Giorgio Veneziani](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=Veneziani+G&cauthor_id=42814228)[ 2 ](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42814228/#full-view-affiliation-2 "Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, and Health Studies, Sapienza University of Rome, Via Degli Apuli, 1, 00185, Rome, Italy."); [Breast Cancer Unit](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=Breast+Cancer+Unit%5BCorporate+Author%5D) Collaborators, Affiliations Expand ### Collaborators * **Breast Cancer Unit** : [Ida Cicalini](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=Cicalini+I), [Vitalma Liotti](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=Liotti+V), [Antonella Di Iulio](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=Di+Iulio+A), [Antonella D'Ercole](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=D%27Ercole+A), [Giuseppe Calabrese](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=Calabrese+G), [Gina Valerio](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=Valerio+G), [Simona Manzi](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=Manzi+S), [Angela Balboni](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=Balboni+A), [Pia Di Stefano](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=Di+Stefano+P), [Valeria Durante](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=Durante+V), [Rossella Giovannelli](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=Giovannelli+R), [Federico Lo Torto](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=Lo+Torto+F), [Paolo Noccioli](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=Noccioli+P), [Marino Nardi](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=Nardi+M), [Domenica Testa](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=Testa+D), [Eleonora Angelini](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=Angelini+E) ### Affiliations * 1 Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, and Health Studies, Sapienza University of Rome, Via Degli Apuli, 1, 00185, Rome, Italy. carlo.lai@uniroma1.it. * 2 Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, and Health Studies, Sapienza University of Rome, Via Degli Apuli, 1, 00185, Rome, Italy. * 3 Department of Oral Medical Sciences and Biotechnology (DSMOB), "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100, Chieti, Italy. * 4 Center for Sport, Disability and Rehabilitation (CARES), "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100, Chieti, Italy. * 5 Biobehavioral Arts and Culture for Health, Sustainability and Social Cohesion (BACH), "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100, Chieti, Italy. * 6 Department of Theoretical and Applied Sciences (DiSTA), eCampus University, 22060, Novedrate, Italy. * 7 Behavioral Imaging and Neural Dynamics Center (BIND), "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100, Chieti, Italy. * 8 Department of Neuroscience, Imaging, and Clinical Sciences, University «G. d'Annunzio» of Chieti-Pescara, 66100, Chieti, Italy. * PMID: **42814228** * DOI: [ 10.1007/s00520-026-11278-6 ](https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-026-11278-6) Item in Clipboard Observational Study # Early post-operative changes in quality of life and psychological symptoms after breast cancer surgery: the role of perceived pain, upper limb disability, and disease acceptance Carlo Lai et al. Support Care Cancer. 2026. Show details Display options Display options Format Abstract PubMed PMID Support Care Cancer Actions * [ Search in PubMed ](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=%22Support+Care+Cancer%22%5Bjour%5D&sort=date&sort_order=desc) * [ Search in NLM Catalog ](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/nlmcatalog?term=%22Support+Care+Cancer%22%5BTitle+Abbreviation%5D) * [ Add to Search ](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42814228/) . 2026 Sep 30;34(10):1037. doi: 10.1007/s00520-026-11278-6. ### Authors [Carlo Lai](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=Lai+C&cauthor_id=42814228)[ 1 ](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42814228/#short-view-affiliation-1 "Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, and Health Studies, Sapienza University of Rome, Via Degli Apuli, 1, 00185, Rome, Italy. carlo.lai@uniroma1.it."), [Emanuele Giraldi](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=Giraldi+E&cauthor_id=42814228)[ 2 ](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42814228/#short-view-affiliation-2 "Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, and Health Studies, Sapienza University of Rome, Via Degli Apuli, 1, 00185, Rome, Italy."), [Teresa Paolucci](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=Paolucci+T&cauthor_id=42814228)[ 3 ](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42814228/#short-view-affiliation-3 "Department of Oral Medical Sciences and Biotechnology \(DSMOB\), "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100, Chieti, Italy.")[ 4 ](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42814228/#short-view-affiliation-4 "Center for Sport, Disability and Rehabilitation \(CARES\), "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100, Chieti, Italy.")[ 5 ](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42814228/#short-view-affiliation-5 "Biobehavioral Arts and Culture for Health, Sustainability and Social Cohesion \(BACH\), "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100, Chieti, Italy."), [Alice Cichelli](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=Cichelli+A&cauthor_id=42814228)[ 6 ](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42814228/#short-view-affiliation-6 "Department of Theoretical and Applied Sciences \(DiSTA\), eCampus University, 22060, Novedrate, Italy.")[ 7 ](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42814228/#short-view-affiliation-7 "Behavioral Imaging and Neural Dynamics Center \(BIND\), "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100, Chieti, Italy."), [Sofia Mazzani](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=Mazzani+S&cauthor_id=42814228)[ 2 ](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42814228/#short-view-affiliation-2 "Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, and Health Studies, Sapienza University of Rome, Via Degli Apuli, 1, 00185, Rome, Italy."), [Stefano Delli Pizzi](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=Delli+Pizzi+S&cauthor_id=42814228)[ 8 ](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42814228/#short-view-affiliation-8 "Department of Neuroscience, Imaging, and Clinical Sciences, University «G. d'Annunzio» of Chieti-Pescara, 66100, Chieti, Italy."), [Giorgio Veneziani](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=Veneziani+G&cauthor_id=42814228)[ 2 ](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42814228/#short-view-affiliation-2 "Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, and Health Studies, Sapienza University of Rome, Via Degli Apuli, 1, 00185, Rome, Italy."); [Breast Cancer Unit](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=Breast+Cancer+Unit%5BCorporate+Author%5D) ### Collaborators * **Breast Cancer Unit** : [Ida Cicalini](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=Cicalini+I), [Vitalma Liotti](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=Liotti+V), [Antonella Di Iulio](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=Di+Iulio+A), [Antonella D'Ercole](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=D%27Ercole+A), [Giuseppe Calabrese](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=Calabrese+G), [Gina Valerio](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=Valerio+G), [Simona Manzi](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=Manzi+S), [Angela Balboni](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=Balboni+A), [Pia Di Stefano](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=Di+Stefano+P), [Valeria Durante](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=Durante+V), [Rossella Giovannelli](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=Giovannelli+R), [Federico Lo Torto](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=Lo+Torto+F), [Paolo Noccioli](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=Noccioli+P), [Marino Nardi](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=Nardi+M), [Domenica Testa](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=Testa+D), [Eleonora Angelini](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=Angelini+E) ### Affiliations * 1 Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, and Health Studies, Sapienza University of Rome, Via Degli Apuli, 1, 00185, Rome, Italy. carlo.lai@uniroma1.it. * 2 Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, and Health Studies, Sapienza University of Rome, Via Degli Apuli, 1, 00185, Rome, Italy. * 3 Department of Oral Medical Sciences and Biotechnology (DSMOB), "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100, Chieti, Italy. * 4 Center for Sport, Disability and Rehabilitation (CARES), "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100, Chieti, Italy. * 5 Biobehavioral Arts and Culture for Health, Sustainability and Social Cohesion (BACH), "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100, Chieti, Italy. * 6 Department of Theoretical and Applied Sciences (DiSTA), eCampus University, 22060, Novedrate, Italy. * 7 Behavioral Imaging and Neural Dynamics Center (BIND), "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100, Chieti, Italy. * 8 Department of Neuroscience, Imaging, and Clinical Sciences, University «G. d'Annunzio» of Chieti-Pescara, 66100, Chieti, Italy. * PMID: **42814228** * DOI: [ 10.1007/s00520-026-11278-6 ](https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-026-11278-6) Item in Clipboard Cite Display options Display options Format Abstract PubMed PMID Linked Discoveries ## Abstract **Purpose:** The present study aimed to evaluate changes in QoL and psychological symptoms (anxiety and depression) in women with BC between the first days (T0) and 1 month after surgery (T1). In addition, the study examined longitudinal associations of perceived pain, upper limb disability, and disease acceptance with QoL and psychological symptoms across T0 and T1. **Methods:** A prospective, observational cohort study was conducted on 101 women with BC. At T0 and T1, the EuroQol Five-Dimension Five-Level, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, the Numeric Rating Scale, the Quick Disability of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand, and an adapted version of the Chronic Pain Acceptance Questionnaire were administered. Data were analyzed using paired-samples t-tests and linear mixed models (LMMs). **Results:** The results showed increased QoL and decreased psychological symptoms between T0 and T1. The LMMs revealed that assessment time was not significantly associated with QoL and psychological symptoms once perceived pain, upper limb disability, and disease acceptance were considered. Notably, perceived pain and upper limb disability were negatively associated with QoL. In addition, upper limb disability was positively associated with depressive symptoms. Lastly, disease acceptance was negatively associated with both anxiety and depressive symptoms. **Conclusion:** Improvements in QoL and psychological symptoms may occur within the first month after BC surgery. At equivalent levels of perceived pain, upper limb disability, and disease acceptance, the timing of assessment seems to provide no additional information about QoL and psychological symptoms. The findings suggest the importance of timely, multidisciplinary rehabilitation care for women with BC during the early post-operative period. **Keywords:** Breast cancer; Disease acceptance; Pain; Psychological symptoms; Quality of life; Upper limb disability. © 2026. The Author(s). [PubMed Disclaimer](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/disclaimer/) ## Conflict of interest statement Declarations. Ethics approval: This study was conducted in line with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki. Approval was granted by the Territorial Ethics Committee (protocol number: 53-2023). Consent to participate: Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the present study. Competing interests: The authors de
## Related Clinical Research

- [COVID-19 Pandemic Effects on Breast Cancer Survivorship: Scoping Review Findings](https://medichelpline.com/clinical-feed/pubmed-42850372.md) (DOI: 10.1007/s00520-026-11309-2)
- [Metastatic Breast Cancer Quality of Life: Effects of Symptom Fluctuations and Positive Affect](https://medichelpline.com/clinical-feed/pubmed-42811801.md) (DOI: 10.1002/cam4.72338)
- [Acceptability of breast cancer risk assessment for women 30–49 from six under-served groups](https://medichelpline.com/clinical-feed/plos-one-16-acceptability-of-breast-cancer-risk-assessment-for-women-aged-30-49-views-of.md)
- [Feasibility trial of ASTENZ: an interactive web app to support patients with advanced cancer and r](https://medichelpline.com/clinical-feed/bmj-open-17-supporting-patients-with-advanced-cancer-and-their-relatives-via-an-interactive.md)
- [Semaglutide plus menopause hormone therapy linked to greater weight loss in midlife women](https://medichelpline.com/clinical-feed/medical-news-today-0-ozempic-plus-hormone-therapy-may-help-boost-weight-loss-at-menopause.md)

## Navigation
- [← Back to Oncology Feed](https://medichelpline.com/clinical-feed/oncology.md)
- [← All Clinical Specialties](https://medichelpline.com/clinical-feed.md)
## Medical & Regulatory Disclaimer

> [!CAUTION]
> MedicHelpline content is structured for research, educational, and professional discovery purposes. It does not constitute individual medical advice, clinical diagnosis, or treatment recommendations.
> Always verify dosing, contraindications, and regulatory alerts against official product labeling and primary regulatory sources before clinical decision-making.