Quality of life and symptom attribution in long-term colon cancer survivors.
OBJECTIVE
This study investigates how long-term colon cancer survivors evaluate their health, functional status and quality of life, and whether there are differences based on age, gender or ethnicity.


METHODS
Thirty long-term survivors of at least stage I colon cancer were interviewed in person between December 2004 and May 2005. The interview protocol included the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short Form, Quality of Life--Cancer Survivor, and study-specific questions that asked about physical and non-physical problems they attributed to colon cancer.


RESULTS
Substantial percentages of survivors attributed their problems with lack of energy (83%), sexual functioning (67%), bowel problems (63%), poor body image (47%) and emotional problems (40%) to having had colon cancer. Of those problems attributed to colon cancer, sexual functioning and pain were given the highest severity rankings by survivors. The majority of long-term colon cancer survivors reported distress regarding future diagnostic tests, a second cancer, and spread of cancer. Women reported greater problems completing daily activities as a result of physical problems (P = 0.003) and more pain (P = 0.07) than men. African Americans appear to report marginally better overall quality of life (P = 0.07) and psychological well-being than whites (P = 0.07).


CONCLUSIONS
The majority of long-term colon cancer survivors with resected colon cancer and disease-free for 5 years reported problems with low energy, sexual functioning and bowel problems.
Phipps
Etienne
E
Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA. phippst@einstein.edu
Braitman
Leonard E
LE
Stites
Shana
S
Leighton
John C
JC
D001741:Black or African American; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015143:Philadelphia; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology*; D044465:White People