The associations between living conditions, demography, and the 'impact of cancer' scale in tumor-free cancer survivors: a NOCWO study.
OBJECTIVE
The "impact of cancer" scale (IOC) is a new questionnaire that explores attitudes in the physical, psychological, social, and spiritual/existential domains in cancer survivors. This study explores the associations between demography, living conditions (LCs), and the IOC dimensions in disease-free Norwegian survivors who have been treated for breast, prostate, or testicular cancer.


METHODS
A questionnaire covering demography, LCs, and the IOC was mailed to 852 cancer survivors; 459 (54%) participated. A living condition index (LCI) was calculated based on self-reported education, employment, annual income, health, housing expenditures, and social participation.


RESULTS
Survivors with a low LCI level viewed their situation significantly worse on four of five negative IOC dimensions than those with high LCI level. No significant LCI-related differences were observed for the mean scores of positive IOC dimensions. Significant associations were observed between gender, health status, employment, and five to six IOC dimensions. LCs were more often associated with the negative IOC dimensions than the positive ones.


CONCLUSIONS
The significant associations between LCs and dimensions of the IOC in tumor-free cancer survivors show that LCs should be considered when health care professionals assist cancer survivors in dealing with the impact the cancer experience had on their lives.
Gudbergsson
Sævar B
SB
The Cancer Clinic, Section of Long-term Studies, Rikshospitalet-Radiumhospitalet Medical Center, University of Oslo, Montebello, 0310, Oslo, Norway. bergg@ulrik.uio.no.
Fosså
Sophie D
SD
The Cancer Clinic, Section of Long-term Studies, Rikshospitalet-Radiumhospitalet Medical Center, University of Oslo, Montebello, 0310, Oslo, Norway.
Ganz
Patricia A
PA
Jonnson Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
Zebrack
Brad J
BJ
University of Southern California School of Social Work, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
Dahl
Alv A
AA
The Cancer Clinic, Section of Long-term Studies, Rikshospitalet-Radiumhospitalet Medical Center, University of Oslo, Montebello, 0310, Oslo, Norway.
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003710:Demography; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D009664:Norway; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology*