The impact of cancer and quality of life for long-term survivors.
This study reports on health status and quality of life (QOL) outcomes in long-term cancer survivors, and potential correlates including cancer type, age at diagnosis, health status, and key sociodemographic variables.


METHODS
One hundred and ninety-three cancer survivors 5-10 years post-diagnosis completed a mailed survey assessing physical and mental health status, QOL, post-traumatic growth, and impact of cancer (IOC).


RESULTS
Respondents were comparable to population norms on physical and mental health status. After controlling for sociodemographic and medical status variables, older respondents reported better overall QOL (p=0.004) and mental health (p<0.001), but worse physical health (p=0.04). Survivors reporting low income (p=0.02) and comorbidities (p=0.003) indicated worse physical functioning. A higher negative IOC score was associated with worse physical functioning (p<0.0001), worse mental health (p<0.0001), and lower overall QOL (p<0.0001). A higher positive IOC score was associated with better mental health (p=0.0004) and better overall QOL (p=0.005).


CONCLUSIONS
Perceptions of how cancer has affected survivors' lives in both positive and negative ways may influence, or be influenced by, their functional abilities and QOL.
University of Southern California School of Social Work, Los Angeles, CA 90089-0411, USA. zebrack@usc.edu
Brad J
BJ
Zebrack
Jaehee
J
Yi
Laura
L
Petersen
Patricia A
PA
Ganz
D000203:Activities of Daily Living / Q000523:psychology; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007182:Income; D008223:Lymphoma / Q000523:psychology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology; D011594:Psychometrics; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D012050:Rehabilitation, Vocational / Q000523:psychology; D012803:Sick Role; D018434:Sickness Impact Profile; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology*