Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate challenges to quality of life (QOL) among women previously diagnosed with gynaecologic cancer accessing a metropolitan Australian oncology service. Indices of QOL investigated were anxiety, depression, sexual morbidity, body image and supportive care needs. Findings are to inform service planning and research priorities.
Methods: This study is a cross-sectional analysis of 176 women diagnosed with gynaecologic cancer from 1997 to 2006. Data were collected from medical records and via self-report questionnaire comprising validated measures of QOL indices.
Results: Respondents have cancers of the endometrium (n = 56, 32%), ovary (n = 71, 40%), cervix (n = 27, 15%) and other less common types (n = 22, 13%). Mean (SD) age and time since diagnosis were 58.6 (13.2) and 4.7 (2.9) years, respectively. Using cut-offs of ≥ 8 and ≥ 11 on the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, 55 (31%) and 27 (15%) women reported anxiety and 28 (16%) and 10 (6%) women reported depression, respectively. On average, 5.26 unmet needs were reported. Concerns about recurrence were the most common unmet need (30%). Two thirds had not been sexually active in the preceding month. Most (87%) were not worried about their sex life or lack thereof. Mean (SD) score on the Body Image Scale was 7.21 (7.37). Tumour groups did not differ on any outcomes.
Conclusions: Despite limitations, these data shed light on challenges to QOL of a heterogeneous group of gynaecologic cancer survivors. Sexual and psychological morbidity outcomes compare favourably with the literature while body image disturbance may present a useful target for clinical intervention.