Mental and Physical Health–Related Quality of Life among U.S. Cancer Survivors: Population Estimates from the 2010 National Health Interview Survey

Abstract

Background Despite extensive data on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) among cancer survivors, we do not yet have an estimate of the percent of survivors with poor mental and physical HRQOL compared to population norms. HRQOL population means for adult-onset cancer survivors of all ages and across the survivorship trajectory also have not been published. Methods Survivors (n=1,822) and adults with no cancer history (n=24,804) were identified from the 2010 National Health Interview Survey. The PROMIS® Global Health Scale was used to assess HRQOL. Poor HRQOL was defined as one standard deviation or more below the PROMIS population norm. Results Poor physical and mental HRQOL were reported by 24.5% and 10.1% of survivors, respectively, compared to 10.2% and 5.9% of adults without cancer (both p<.0001). This represents a population of approximately 3.3 million and 1.4 million US survivors with poor physical and mental HRQOL. Adjusted mean mental and physical HRQOL scores were similar for breast, prostate, and melanoma survivors compared to adults without cancer. Survivors of cervical, colorectal, hematologic, short-survival, and other cancers had worse physical HRQOL; cervical and short-survival cancer survivors reported worse mental HRQOL. Conclusion These data elucidate the burden of cancer diagnosis and treatment among US survivors and can be used to monitor the impact of national efforts to improve survivorship care and outcomes. Impact We present novel data on the number of US survivors with poor HRQOL. Interventions for high-risk groups that can be easily implemented are needed to improve survivor health at a population level.

Attitudes of Surgeons toward Elderly Cancer Patients: A Survey from the SIOG Surgical Task Force

“…Despite the prevalence of cancer in the elderly population and the increasing impetus for QoL measurement, not many studies have been published focusing on patient experience [26]. Weaver et al [27] showed that mental and physical health were interrelated in both young and elderly patients with cancer, which both affect their perspective about their diagnosis and expectations.…”

The effect of hypnotherapy on the quality of life in women with breast cancer

“…This is important because the perception of overall quality of life implies a sense of general well-being for patients in their daily lives (Bellver, 2007). Overall quality of life is one of the main factors taken into consideration in developing and implementing effective interventions to promote wellbeing and reduce the individual and social effects of cancer (Weaver et al, 2012). As such, hypnotherapy can be considered an intervention that promotes quality of life and the perception of well-being in patients with breast cancer.…”

AACR Cancer Progress Report 2016

“…Given that research has shown that about one in four cancer survivors has a decreased quality of life owing to physical problems and one in 10 owing to emotional problems (142), it is clear that much more research is needed to help the growing number of cancer survivors achieve a higher quality of life. some of the 15 percent of premenopausal women diagnosed with breast cancer who have tumors that do not have hormone receptors or other molecules that can be targeted with precise therapeutics.…”