Are gender-associated differences in quality of life in colorectal cancer patients disease-specific?

Abstract

The vast majority of studies on gender-associated differences in quality of life compare male and female oncological patients and neglect the issue of the disease-specificity of such differences. Our study revealed that women and men suffering from colorectal cancer scored differently across many aspects of quality of life, but with the exception of diarrhea, these differences were also found in the general population, i.e. they indicated no gender-specific reaction to disease.

Factors associated with anxiety and depressive symptoms in colorectal cancer survivors

“…Shorter time since diagnosis has been associated previously with worse psychological well-being [7] or intrusive thoughts [16], although some longitudinal studies did not confirm this association [17]. With respect to sex and depressive symptoms, the findings have been inconclusive thus far [8,[18][19][20][21].…”

“…The reliability and validity of the BAI are well established. The BAI scale score was categorized into the following severity categories: none (BAI scale score 0-9), mild (10-18), moderate (19)(20)(21)(22)(23)(24)(25)(26)(27)(28)(29), and severe (30-63) [14].…”

Relationships between death anxiety and quality of life in Iranian patients with cancer

“…A diagnosis of cancer places a heavy toll on the patient, negatively affecting life in physical, psychological, and social domains. [48]…”

“…Other studies have identified that gender is a factor that may influence QOL in cancer patients. [3748] Further, there has been research reporting higher levels of psychological distress among female cancer patients. [8] Similar to this study, Pud[37] reported that female patients had significantly lowered psychological QOL than their male counterparts.…”

Nutritional and psychosocial status of colorectal cancer patients referred to an outpatient oncology clinic

“…Whereas CRC prevalence rates in men and women are similar [1], gender and marital status have been shown to affect survival and quality of life, with females and single/ widowed status often associated with poorer outcomes [32][33][34]. Tuinsdra et al [33] have reported that females appear to be more vulnerable to stress than males when facing CRC.…”