Health-Related Quality of Life Among Long-Term Survivors of Colorectal Cancer: A Population-Based Study
Open Access
- 15 October 2011
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Oxford University Press (OUP) in The Oncologist
- Vol. 16 (11), 1626-1636
- https://doi.org/10.1634/theoncologist.2011-0036
Abstract
Learning Objectives: After completing this course, the reader will be able to: Compare quality of life in long-term colorectal cancer survivors with quality of life in the general population.Identify cancer complications that affect quality of life in long-term colorectal cancer survivors. CME This article is available for continuing medical education credit at CME.TheOncologist.com Background.: The number of long-term colorectal cancer survivors is increasing. Cancer and its treatment can cause physical and psychological complications, but little is known about how it impacts quality of life (QOL) over the long term—5, 10, and 15 years after diagnosis. Methods.: Cancer survivors were randomly selected from three tumor registries in France, diagnosed in 1990 (±1 year), 1995 (±1 year), and 2000 (±1 year). Controls were randomly selected from electoral rolls, stratifying on gender, age group, and residence area. Participants completed two QOL questionnaires, a fatigue questionnaire, an anxiety questionnaire, and a life conditions questionnaire. An analysis of variance was used to compare QOL scores of cancer survivors by period of diagnosis (5, 10, and 15 years) with those of controls, adjusted for sociodemographic data and comorbidities. Results.: We included 344 colon cancer and 198 rectal cancer survivors and 1,181 controls. In a global analysis, survivors reported a statistically and clinically significant lower score in social functioning 5 years after diagnosis and higher scores in diarrhea symptoms 5 and 10 years after diagnosis. In subgroup analyses, rectal cancer affected QOL in the physical dimensions at 5 years and in the fatigue dimensions at 5 and 10 years. Conclusion.: Survivors of colorectal cancer may experience the effects of cancer and its treatment up to 10 years after diagnosis, particularly for rectal cancer. Clinicians, psychologists, and social workers must pay special attention to rectal cancer survivors to improve overall management.Keywords
Funding Information
- French Programme Hospitalier de Recherche Clinique of the National Institut of Cancer
- Fondation de France
- Ligue Contre le Cancer du Doubs
This publication has 38 references indexed in Scilit:
- Early and Late Complications Among Long-Term Colorectal Cancer Survivors With Ostomy or AnastomosisDiseases of the Colon & Rectum, 2010
- Predictors of health-related quality of life in patients with colorectal cancerHealth and Quality of Life Outcomes, 2008
- Adult cancer survivors: How are they faring?Cancer, 2005
- Quality of Life in Patients With Colorectal Cancer 1 Year After Diagnosis Compared With the General Population: A Population-Based StudyJournal of Clinical Oncology, 2004
- Burden of Illness in Cancer Survivors: Findings From a Population-Based National SampleJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute, 2004
- Social networks and quality of life among female long‐term colorectal cancer survivorsCancer, 2003
- Cancer Statistics, 2003CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, 2003
- Global cancer statistics in the year 2000The Lancet Oncology, 2001
- The multidimensional Fatigue Inventory (MFI) psychometric qualities of an instrument to assess fatigueJournal of Psychosomatic Research, 1995
- The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer QLQ-C30: A Quality-of-Life Instrument for Use in International Clinical Trials in OncologyJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute, 1993