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 wasto determine the quality of life (QOL) of affected patients in comparison with a control group diagnosed withgynecological problems other than cancer, and to investigate demographic and socio-cultural factors potentiallyaffecting QOL. The study, performed between June-December 2008, covered 120 inpatients diagnosed withgynecological cancer at the Gynecologic Oncology Department of Gazi University Medical School and 123educational level and age matched outpatients without cancer, of the Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyOutpatient Unit. Data were collected through a face to face questionnaire form including basic socio-culturaland demographic characteristics and a quality of life scale (Short Form-36, SF-36). Data entry and analysiswere performed with the SPSS v11.5 package program and comparisons were conducted according to sociodemographicand disease-related characteristics of participants. Averages of total scores and all componentsof the SF-36 Scale of the case group were significantly lower in the cancer group. It is essential to ensuremultidisciplinary approaches for living areas determined to be affected by gynecological cancer and also tomake efforts to enhance quality of life; therefore, some suggestions were made regarding these issues peculiarlyconsidering early diagnosis of gynecological cancer.