The relationship between decision regret, quality of life, and mindfulness in early-stage breast cancer survivors

Purpose

The shared decision-making empowers breast cancer patients’ autonomy in joining treatment decision. However, unexpected side effects or unsatisfactory outcomes can lead to decision regret. This study examines decision regret levels and its relationship with quality of life, and the impact of mindfulness awareness and self-compassion on this relationship among early-stage breast cancer patients in post-treatment survivorship.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted from March 2021 to March 2022. The early-stage breast cancer patients who completed treatments within the past 36 months were recruited from a medical center and a regional hospital. Participants completed the Decision Regret Scale, Mindful Awareness Attention Scale, Self-Compassion Scale, and the EORTC QLQ-C30 and QLQ-BR45.

Results

Among the 138 participants, 17.39 % reported no regret, 55.80 % expressed mild regret, and 26.81 % reported moderate to strong regret. Decision regret differed significantly based on the congruence between patients’ preferred and actual decision-making roles. Multiple regression analysis showed that, after controlling for covariates, lower decision regret levels were associated with higher EORTC QLQ-C30 and QLQ-BR45 function scores. Mindfulness awareness significantly mediated the relationship between decision regret and QOL, while self-compassion was not identified as a mediator.

Conclusion

Most breast cancer survivors experienced mild or moderate decision regret. Decision regret influences survivors’ general and breast specific functions. Mindfulness awareness could reduce the impact of decision regret on QOL. The mindfulness-based interventions could cultivate breast cancer patients living at the present moment experiences to reduce their negative rumination about the past treatment decision and enhance their QOL.