The perceived impact of cancer on quality of life for post-treatment survivors of childhood cancer.
Summary of "The perceived impact of cancer on quality of life for post-treatment survivors of childhood cancer."
PURPOSE:
To examine whether childhood cancer survivors' perceptions of the impact of cancer are related to quality of life (QOL) and psychological distress.
METHODS:
621 survivors (aged 18-39 years) completed a mailed survey assessing distress and QOL. Hierarchical linear regression models analyzed the independent effects of perceived impacts of cancer on distress and QOL and the extent to which positive and negative perceptions attenuated the effects of covariates on outcomes.
RESULTS:
After accounting for perceptions of cancer's impact on their lives, employment/occupation status, marital/relationship status, and health problems were observed to be significant predictors of QOL and distress. Psychological distress and the mental health component of QOL appeared to be less influenced by sociodemographic status and health problems and more a function of how survivors perceive cancer as impacting their lives.
CONCLUSIONS:
Results suggest that distress and QOL are partially a function of survivors' perceptions of how cancer has affected them and continues to affect them in both positive and negative ways. Future research is needed to examine combinations of pharmacological, psychological and/or social interventions that are likely to result in better outcomes in this population.
Affiliation
University of Michigan School of Social Work, 1080 S. University, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-1106, USA, zebrack@umich.edu.
Journal Details
This article was published in the following journal.
Name: Quality of life research : an international journal of quality of life aspects of treatment, care and rehabilitation
ISSN: 1573-2649
Pages:
Links
- PubMed Source: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21452086
- DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11136-011-9893-8
Medical and Biotech [MESH] Definitions
Sickness Impact Profile
A quality-of-life scale developed in the United States in 1972 as a measure of health status or dysfunction generated by a disease. It is a behaviorally based questionnaire for patients and addresses activities such as sleep and rest, mobility, recreation, home management, emotional behavior, social interaction, and the like. It measures the patient's perceived health status and is sensitive enough to detect changes or differences in health status occurring over time or between groups. (From Medical Care, vol.xix, no.8, August 1981, p.787-805)
Cost Of Illness
The personal cost of acute or chronic disease. The cost to the patient may be an economic, social, or psychological cost or personal loss to self, family, or immediate community. The cost of illness may be reflected in absenteeism, productivity, response to treatment, peace of mind, QUALITY OF LIFE, etc. It differs from HEALTH CARE COSTS, meaning the societal cost of providing services related to the delivery of health care, rather than personal impact on individuals.
Survivors
Persons who have experienced a prolonged survival after serious disease or who continue to live with a usually life-threatening condition as well as family members, significant others, or individuals surviving traumatic life events.
Quality-adjusted Life Years
A measurement index derived from a modification of standard life-table procedures and designed to take account of the quality as well as the duration of survival. This index can be used in assessing the outcome of health care procedures or services. (BIOETHICS Thesaurus, 1994)
Quality Of Life
A generic concept reflecting concern with the modification and enhancement of life attributes, e.g., physical, political, moral and social environment; the overall condition of a human life.
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