Premium
Antecedents of domain‐specific quality of life after colorectal cancer
Author(s) -
Steginga Suzanne K.,
Lynch Brigid M.,
Hawkes Anna,
Dunn Jeff,
Aitken Joanne
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
psycho‐oncology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.41
H-Index - 137
eISSN - 1099-1611
pISSN - 1057-9249
DOI - 10.1002/pon.1388
Subject(s) - psychosocial , medicine , quality of life (healthcare) , colorectal cancer , psychological intervention , optimism , population , social support , disease , body mass index , cancer , gerontology , clinical psychology , psychology , psychiatry , environmental health , social psychology , nursing , psychotherapist
Objective : The present study prospectively assessed the influence of medical, socio‐demographic, psychological, and lifestyle variables on physical, social/family, emotional, functional well‐being and colorectal cancer‐specific concerns in a population‐based sample of colorectal cancer survivors. Methods : Participants ( n =1822) were assessed at 6 and 24 months post‐diagnosis. Predictor variables assessed at 6 months included socio‐demographic and medical variables, symptoms/side‐effects, body mass index, physical activity, optimism, social support, and cancer threat appraisal. Quality of life (QOL) was assessed at 6 and 24 months post‐diagnosis using the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy ‐ Colorectal (FACT‐C). Results : For each QOL subscale and for the overall FACT‐C scale, 6 month scores were the strongest predictor of QOL scores at 24 months post‐diagnosis (e.g. β =0.447, p < 0.001 for overall QOL). Socio‐demographic, medical, and psychosocial variables, but not lifestyle variables, differentially predicted domain specific QOL. Only cancer threat appraisal was associated with all five QOL domains. Conclusion : Cancer threat appraisal presents as a potentially modifiable variable for interventions seeking to improve QOL. Symptom management and lifestyle strategies to ameliorate the effects of co‐morbidities, disease stage and troublesome symptoms such as faecal incontinence on QOL should also be included. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.