Factors associated with quality of life of outpatients with breast cancer and gynecologic cancers and their family caregivers: a controlled study

Abstract

BackgroundQuality of life (QOL) issues are of interest in cancer because effective methods of treatment and detection have led to an increase in the number of long-term survivors. The objectives of the study were: to assess the subjective QOL of stable Sudanese women cancer outpatients and their family caregivers, using the WHO 26-item QOL Instrument; compare with matched general population groups, as well as diabetic and psychiatric patient groups; examine patient-caregiver concordance in ratings; and assess the variables associated with their QOL, with a view to identifying factors that can enhance quality of care.MethodsResponses of oncology outpatients with breast cancer (117), cervical cancer (46) and ovarian cancer (18) (aged 44.6, SD 11.5) were compared with those of their family caregivers and matched general population groups. Data were analyzed by univariate and multivariate statistics.ResultsThe cancer groups had similar QOL domain scores, which were significantly lower than those of their caregivers, but higher than the control group as well as those of psychiatric and diabetic patients studied previously. Patients who were married, with higher education, better employment, and with longer duration of illness had higher QOL. Patients on radiotherapy and their caregivers had higher QOL scores. Correlations between patient's ratings and caregiver impression of patient's QOL were high. Caregiver impression was a significant predictor of patient's and caregiver's QOL. Other predictors for the patient were: currently feeling sick and duration of illness; for the caregiver: feeling sick, relationship to patient, and age.ConclusionCancer patients in stable condition and with psychosocial support can hope to enjoy good QOL with treatment. The findings constitute an evidence base for the country's cancer care program, to boost national health education about prognosis in cancer. Families living with women cancer patients are vulnerable and need support if the patient is recently diagnosed, less educated, single, not formally employed; and the caregiver is female, parent, younger, less educated, unemployed and feels sick. Clinicians need to invest in the education and support of family caregivers. The patient-caregiver dyad should be regarded as a unit for treatment in cancer care.

Caring for women with ovarian cancer in the last year of life: A longitudinal study of caregiver quality of life, distress and unmet needs

“…[6], lower social economic status and younger age [7,8], lower carer optimism [9] and a 106 closer caregiver-patient relationship [8]. Caregiver distress also increases with greater 107 patient physical impairment and need for palliative care [10].…”

Quality of Life and Influencing Factors in Caregivers of Patients with Cancer

“…Meme, serviks ve over kanserli hastaların bakımından sorumlu aile üyeleri ile yapılan bir çalışmada; aile üyelerinin yaşam kalitesi sağlıklı grupla karşılaştırılmış ve kanserli hastanın bakımından sorumlu bireylerin yaşam kalitesi düşük bulunmuştur (17).…”

Construcción Y Validación De Un Instrumento Para Medir Calidad De Atención Del Programa Auge Cáncer Cervicouterino

“…La relación usuaria profesional ha sido descrita como un área importante de la CA (17,21), e incluso ha sido también descrita como predictor de la calidad de vida de mujeres con cán-cer ginecológico (22). Por lo tanto esta dimensión en el INCA-AUGE cobra gran relevancia en lo que respecta a evaluar dicha interacción y también para relacionarla con resultados en salud (17).…”

“…La explicación de la enfermedad AUGE que la mujer padece como de su tratamiento son los 2 aspectos considerados en esta dimensión. Cabe señalar que la usuaria se encuentra vulnerable al momento de recibir el diagnóstico de cáncer, por lo que el apoyo brindado por parte del personal que la atiende es fundamental, siendo el profesional que entrega el diagnóstico el actor mas importante en dicha interacción (16,22). La educación entregada a los usuarios ha sido considerada uno de los estánda-res de CA (21,23).…”