Long-term adjustment of early-stage ovarian cancer survivors

Abstract

The objectives of this study were to describe the quality of life (QOL), consequences of treatment, complementary therapy use, and factors correlating with psychologic state in 58 survivors of early-stage ovarian cancer since little is known about the QOL of early-stage ovarian cancer survivors. Survivors were interviewed using standardized measures to assess physical, psychologic, social, and sexual functioning; impact of cancer on socioeconomic status; and complementary therapy use. Survivors reported good physical QOL scores and few unmet needs. However, menopausal symptoms and negative impact on sexuality were reported. Less than 10% of survivors reported either an interest in sex or were sexually active. Psychologic assessment yielded a subset of 26% of patients with scores suggestive of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and 40% of survivors scored below the norm on the Mental Health Inventory-17 Survey. One third of patients required treatment for family/personal problems and took antianxiety medications. About 56% of survivors reported fear of cancer recurrence and 59% reported anxiety when their CA125 is tested. Better mental health was significantly related to less fatigue (Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy [FACT]-fatigue, r = 0.61, P < 0.0001), less pain (European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer [EORTC], r =-0.54, P < 0.0001), fewer stressful life events (Life Event Scale, r =-0.44, P > 0.001), and greater social support (MOS Social Support Survey, r = 0.41, P < 0.01). Early-stage ovarian cancer survivors had few physical complaints and unmet needs, but psychologic distress was evident in a subset of survivors; the majority of survivors reported sexual dysfunction. These results indicate the need for intervention and improved distress screening in the early-stage ovarian cancer population.

The Efficacy of Short-Term Psycho-Oncological Interventions for Women with Gynaecological Cancer: A Randomized Study

“…However, until today, findings of psycho-oncological distress in women with gynaecological cancer are sparse. In line with other studies [10,11,12], Singer and Schwarz [13] report that 78% of women would like to have psycho-oncological support already during their inpatient stay.…”

Screening and comorbidity of clinical levels of fear of cancer recurrence

“…Skalli et al [20] conducted structured psychiatric interviews with longterm testicular cancer survivors and showed that the presence of an anxiety disorder was significantly associated with FCR. Three studies [21][22][23] with ovarian and breast cancer survivors reported that post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms were positively associated with FCR (r=.42 to .71), but the sole study that used multivariate analyses reported that having a PTSD syndrome did not predict a moderate to high level of FCR [23]. Roth et al [24] observed that a general anxiety disorder (GAD) syndrome was significantly associated with FCR in prostate cancer survivors.…”

Psychological Problems Experienced by Women with Gynecological Cancer and How They Cope with It: A Phenomenological Study in Turkey

“…The proponents of universal screening note a high prevalence of distress, as well as options for the successful treatment of such distress when detected ( Stafford & Miller, 2014). Cancer patients require emotional support and psychosocial adaptation to soothe their fears and concerns ( Eyigor, 2010), and high levels of psychological distress have been reported by gynecological cancer survivors, even at five years postdiagnosis ( Ashing-Giwa et al, 2009;Hobbs, 2008;Matulonis et al, 2008;Mirabeau-Beale et al, 2009). Thus, it is important to consider the impact that surviving cancer may have on an individual's well-being, to provide better services following the completion of primary medical treatment.…”