title: The FACT-G7: a rapid version of the functional assessment of cancer therapy-general (FACT-G) for monitoring symptoms and concerns in oncology practice and research.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Health-related quality-of-life (HRQOL) assessments in research and clinical oncology settings are increasingly important. HRQOL instruments need to be rapid and still maintain the ability to capture the most relevant patient issues in a valid and reliable manner. The current study develops and validates the FACT-G7, a rapid version of the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General (FACT-G).
  
  
  METHODS
  Oncology patients with advanced cancer (N = 533) from 11 diseases sites ranked the symptoms and concerns they viewed as 'the very most important' when undergoing cancer treatment, completed the FACT-G, and additional HRQOL measures. Oncology patients' scores were referenced across a general US population sample (N = 2000).
  
  
  RESULTS
  We selected the highest priority cancer-related symptoms and concerns endorsed by patients for inclusion in the FACT-G7. Fatigue and ability to enjoy life were ranked the most highly. The results provide preliminary support for the FACT-G7's internal consistency reliability (α = 0.74) and validity as evidenced by moderate-to-strong relationships with expected criteria. The references for the general population are summarized.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The FACT-G7 can be used to assess top-rated symptoms and concerns for a broad spectrum of advanced cancers in clinical practice and research.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Social Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 710 North Lakeshore Drive, 7th Floor, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Yanez
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Pearman
authors.forename: C G
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Lis
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Beaumont
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Cella
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005221:Fatigue / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008495:Medical Oncology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires