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In this study, we developed a reliable scale to measure the quality of life (QOL), which would reflect the cultural characteristics of cancer patients in Turkey. We used the Rolls-Royce model and determined a form with 49 items in eight dimensions such as general well-being, physical symptoms and activity, sleep dysfunctions, appetite, sexual dysfunction, cognitive functions, medical interaction, social participation and work performance. The forms were used for assembling data from 100 subjects (10 physicians, 19 healthy volunteers, 18 patients relatives, 28 patients on chemotherapy, 25 patients off chemotherapy). Half-split reliability and the signal effect were used to demonstrate reliability and responsiveness. After demonstrating the validity of the test, the final form was constructed. When these eight dimensions were factor analysed, it was found that the general well-being and sexual dysfunction were the most important determinants of QOL.

The average ceruloplasmin levels of 29 patients with active breast cancer and 22 patients in remission were 824 +/- 61 mg/l and 630 +/- 18 mg/l respectively. The average ceruloplasmin level of 17 patients with benign breast diseases was 555 +/- 29 mg/l and of 18 healthy women in a control group 584 +/- 17 mg/l. Breast cancer patients not in remission had ceruloplasmin levels which were significantly increased when compared to the other 3 groups. The CA 15-3 levels and ceruloplasmin levels were positively correlated. We propose that ceruloplasmin may be used as a tumour marker in the follow-up of patients with breast cancer.