Functional Status in Turkish Women with Gynecological Cancer

Abstract

<b>Background:</b> Functional status is the ability to perform daily activities. Little is known about quality of lifeand health status of gynaecological cancer patients. The present study therefore aimed to evaluate the functionalstatus of women receiving treatment for gynecological oncological disease while not hospitalised. Materials and<br/><b>Methods</b>: This descriptive study covered 42 patients monitored by the Gynecological Oncology Unit in 2011.Data were collected using the Functional Living Index-Cancer and analysed with the chi square test, independentsamples t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, one-way ANOVA test and the Kruskal-Wallis H test. <br/><b>Results</b>: Of the 42cases, 66.7% had been diagnosed within the previous year and 90.5% were undergoing chemotherapy. The mostsevere symptoms experienced were pain (35.7%), fatigue-weakness (40.5%) and nausea and vomiting (56.5%).Daily activities where the most difficulty was experienced were housework (28.6%), average pace walking(31.0%), carrying more than 5 kg (28.6%). The mean Functional Living Index score was quite high (103.5±24.1).FLIC-C scale scores did not vary with the educational status, diagnosis duration, and family history of cancer(p>0.05). <br/><b>Conclusions</b>: Evaluation of the functional status of gynecological cancer patients and how they copewith problems should indicate to healthcare professionals what help can be given to maintain quality of life.