Oral mucositis severity as an indicator of supportive care adequacy among women undergoing breast cancer in Yazd, central Iran: a cross-sectional study

Abstract Background Oral mucositis is one of the most painful side effects women face during breast cancer treatment, yet it is frequently overlooked in routine clinical care. Despite the existence of clear prevention and management guidelines, many patients endure progressive oral damage without receiving timely support. This study sought to evaluate the severity of oral mucositis among women undergoing breast cancer treatment in Yazd Province, Iran. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted on 249 women with breast cancer receiving active treatment at Shahid Sadoughi Hospital and its affiliated centers in Yazd. Oral mucositis severity was assessed using the WHO grading system, and demographic and clinical information were collected through a structured questionnaire. All analyses were performed using SPSS version 17. Chi-square tests were used for categorical variables and a significance threshold of p < 0.05. Results The mean age of participants was 50.03 ± 11.50 years. More than two-thirds of women had some degree of oral mucositis, most commonly at grade 2. Significant differences in mucositis severity were observed across disease duration groups (p = 0.022) and chemotherapy session groups (p = 0.002), while age, educational level, and radiotherapy history showed no significant differences. Conclusion Oral mucositis was a widespread complication in this population, with higher severity grades more commonly seen among patients with longer treatment durations and more chemotherapy cycles. Integrating oral health screening into oncology practice is encouraged, though interventional studies are needed to build a stronger evidence base.