Quality of life in cancer survivorship: Sociodemographic and disease-related moderators

Abstract

Rationale: To identify high-risk survivors in order to provide appropriate care.

Purpose: To analyse the quality of life (QOL) of cancer survivors using an instrument designed specifically for this population and considering different sociodemographic and disease-related characteristics as possible modulating variables.

Methods: The Quality of Life in Adult Cancer Survivors (QLACS) was filled out by a large and heterogeneous sample of disease-free post-treatment Spanish cancer survivors (N = 1862).

Results: QLACS scores were comparable to those obtained in other studies and indicative of worse QOL as a function of shorter elapsed time since the end of primary treatment. The best QOL was shown by prostate, and the worst by hematologic cancer survivors. Both systemic treatments (chemotherapy and hormone therapy) and the combination of radiotherapy and chemotherapy were associated with worse QOL. Likewise, younger age, female sex, unemployment status and not having a stable partner were associated with worse QOL.

Conclusion: Greater understanding of the QOL experienced by the already large and continuously growing population of cancer survivors is relevant for guiding both clinical practice and health policy. In addition, knowing the risk factors associated with worse QOL facilitates the development of targeted prevention programmes for those survivors who need it the most.

Keywords: Quality of Life in Adult Cancer Survivors (QLACS); cancer survivors; cancer survivorship; disease-free; quality of life (QOL); risk factors.