Assessment of quality of life for the patients with cervical cancer at different clinical stages

Abstract

With improved overall survival of cervical cancer patients, the importance of the quality of life (QOL) is increasingly recognized. This study was conducted to compare the QOL of women with different stage cervical cancer before and after treatment to facilitate improved cervical cancer prevention and treatment. We used the generic Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-36 (MOS SF-36) to collect QOL information. Based on SF-36, we interviewed cervical cancer patients at West China Second Affiliated Hospital and Sichuan Cancer Hospital between May 2010 and January 2011. A total of 92 patients with precancerous lesions, 93 with early cancer, and 35 with advanced cancer responded to our survey. Average physical component summary (PCS) scores were significantly different between the three groups at every time point (P < 0.05). Average mental component summary (MCS) scores were significantly different between the three groups after treatment (P < 0.05). Average PCS and MCS scores increased gradually from the pretreatment to posttreatment period for patients with precancerous lesions. However, they reached the lowest at 1 month after treatment for patients with early and advanced cancers and rebounded between 1 and 6 months after treatment. Our results indicate that patients with precancerous lesions and early cervical cancer show better overall QOL than do those with advanced cervical cancer. Additionally, patients with early cancer recover more quickly than do those with advanced cancer in terms of both physical and mental functions. Thus, early detection and treatment initiatives may improve the QOL for patients with precancerous lesions and cervical cancer.

Quality of life in women with cervical precursor lesions and cancer: a prospective, 6-month, hospital-based study in China

“…This finding was consistent with that in a sister study conducted concurrently based on MOS SF-36 in China[13]. Cervical precursor lesions are usually asymptomatic, though there may be watery vaginal discharge or occasional spotting of blood that generally does not affect women's daily activities.…”

“…We aimed to confirm earlier findings[13] and explore the relevance of QoL of patients with cervical cancer to clinical practice.…”

Sexual function, psychosocial adjustment to illness, and quality of life among Chinese gynaecological cancer survivors

“…In comparison with quality of life of Chinese cervical cancer patients in the study of Xie et al, gynaecological cancer survivors in the present study reported that they had a poorer quality of life, with the exception of RP and RE dimensions, even though the demographic data of the participants in both studies (including age, marital status, time from diagnosis of gynaecological cancer, stage of gynaecological cancer, and treatment modalities) were comparable. This might be due to the cultural differences between the gynaecological cancer participants in the 2 studies.…”

Health-related quality of life and associated factors among cervical cancer patients at Tikur Anbessa specialized hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

“…In complement with the above finding, Herzog and Wright (2007) found that anxiety and emotional distress greatly affected the patients' HRQoL of cervical cancer survivors [24]. The cultural beliefs and illness perception also affect the emotion of the patients as well [31]. Hence, to reduce emotional distress among patients psychological intervention should be commenced.…”

“…A study done in Iran found similar predictive factors with the exception of physical functioning [24]. Thus, functioning domains are often a neglected but integral part of the HRQoL of patients that requires evaluation and treatment [31]. In Ethiopia, where women play an important role in the family that affects physical functioning, that might have a large impact on self-satisfaction and HRQoL of patients.…”