Quality of life and influencing factors in patients with a gynaecologic cancer diagnosis at Gazi University, Turkey.

Abstract

Negative impacts of gynecologic cancers on women's health are multi-dimensional. The aim of this study was to determine the quality of life (QOL) of affected patients in comparison with a control group diagnosed with gynecological problems other than cancer, and to investigate demographic and socio-cultural factors potentially affecting QOL. The study, performed between June-December 2008, covered 120 inpatients diagnosed with gynecological cancer at the Gynecologic Oncology Department of Gazi University Medical School and 123 educational level and age matched outpatients without cancer, of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Outpatient Unit. Data were collected through a face to face questionnaire form including basic socio-cultural and demographic characteristics and a quality of life scale (Short Form-36, SF-36). Data entry and analysis were performed with the SPSS v11.5 package program and comparisons were conducted according to socio-demographic and disease-related characteristics of participants. Averages of total scores and all components of the SF-36 Scale of the case group were significantly lower in the cancer group. It is essential to ensure multidisciplinary approaches for living areas determined to be affected by gynecological cancer and also to make efforts to enhance quality of life; therefore, some suggestions were made regarding these issues, peculiarly considering early diagnosis of gynecological cancer.