title: Quality of life, lifestyle behavior and employment experience: a comparison between young and midlife survivors of gynecology early stage cancers.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate differences and changes in quality of life (QoL), lifestyle behavior and employment experience of young in comparison to midlife adults in response to early stage gynecologic cancer diagnoses.
  
  
  METHODS
  263 patients, divided into two age groups (Group A: ≤ 45 and Group B: >45 years), were interviewed on their QoL, lifestyle behavior (dietary habits, tobacco and alcohol use, physical activity) and employment experience (employment status and working time) at diagnosis and within 4 years from the treatment. The QoL was evaluated by European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Quality of Life Questionnaire C30 (QLQ-C30) and its specific modules for each cancer type (in particular endometrium, cervix, ovarian and breast).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Global health status was significantly different between the two groups. In the younger age group a more relevant cancer interference on family life and social activities and a greater impact on perception of health status have been observed. Young women were more affected by fatigue, constipation, gastrointestinal symptoms, lymphedema, poor body image and impaired sexuality. Cancer diagnosis had a major negative impact on employment of younger patients. Conversely, younger patients had overall better health behavior. They reported a higher daily intake of fruits and vegetables, along with lower alcohol consumption, furthermore they were a little more physically active than midlife adults.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  To enhance quality of life and to promote healthy lifestyle behavior of female cancer patients, particularly in younger age, it is essential to assure multidisciplinary approaches with specific medical intervention and psychosocial supports. Indeed, midlife adults seem to have a more rapid adaptive tendency to return towards levels of well-being, following cancer diagnosis and treatment, than younger patients.
authors: Department of Obstetrics Gynecology and Pathophysiology of Human Reproduction, University of Naples, Federico II, Naples, Italy.
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Bifulco
authors: N
authors: N
authors: De Rosa
authors: M L
authors: ML
authors: Tornesello
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Piccoli
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Bertrando
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Lavitola
authors: I
authors: I
authors: Morra
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Di Spiezio Sardo
authors: F M
authors: FM
authors: Buonaguro
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Nappi
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D004651:Employment; D005260:Female; D005833:Genital Neoplasms, Female / Q000523:psychology*; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult