Cent Eur J Nurs Midw 2012, 3(4):468-474

Impact of gynecological cancers on patient quality of life

Ľubica Bánovčinová1,*, Katarína Bačiaková2, Lucia Kováčová3
1 Department of non-medical study programmes, Jessenius medical faculty in Martin, Comenius University in Bratislava, Slovakia
2 Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University hospital Martin, Slovakia
3 Department of Social Work, Faculty of Health and Social Care, Trnava University, Slovakia

Aim: A major life change, such as cancer, can significantly influence the subjective perception of quality of life. Cancer patients experience severe problems and have specific needs related to health issues, which may persist even after treatment. The aim of our research was to examine the level of quality of life and functional status in patients diagnosed with gynecological cancer.

Methods: The research included 73 respondents: patients with confirmed cervical and endometrial cancer (mean age 57 years, standard deviation SD = 11.25). To identify the level of quality of life and functional status, the basic EORTC QOL and specific CX24 questionnaires were used. The questionnaires were created by the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) to be used in patients with endometrial and cervical cancer.

Results: The greatest degree of negative impact of cancer was found in social (mean = 68.04, SD = 30.14) and emotional (mean = 71.23, SD = 23.24) scales. Less pronounced effects of the disease were observed in a cognitive scale (mean = 86.76, SD = 16.48).

Conclusion: Better awareness of the significance of long-term quality of life can help health care providers inform patients about possible limitations and difficulties persisting even after completion of cancer treatment.

Keywords: quality of life, gynecological cancer, functional status

Published: September 30, 2012  Show citation

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Bánovčinová Ľ, Bačiaková K, Kováčová L. Impact of gynecological cancers on patient quality of life. Ošetřovatelství a porodní asistence. 2012;3(4):468-474.
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