Comparison of the quality of life of early and advanced stage ovarian cancer survivors
Mirabeau-Beale KL et al. - In a trial to compare the long-term adjustment and QOL of early and advanced stage ovarian cancer survivors (OCS), it was determined that regardless of staging, OCS experience similarly overall positive QOL and adjustment, though post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), sexual problems, and fear of recurrence are still important for some survivors. Methods- Early and advanced OCS >3 yrs from diagnosis with no evidence of recurrent cancer were interviewed.
- The following surveys were administered: EORTC QLQ-C30 (overall QOL) and QLQ-OV28 (ovarian specific issues), MHI-17 (anxiety, depression, and global well-being), CALGB sexual functioning, FACT Fatigue, Beck's Hopelessness Scale, Fear of Recurrence (FOR), PCL-C post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), Unmet Needs, FACT-Spirituality (FACT-Sp), complementary therapy (CAM use), and MOS Social Support Survey (MOS).
- Results of the surveys were compared between the early and advanced-stage groups.
Results- 42 advanced and 58 early stage pts were interviewed.
- The majority of survivors scored above the medical outpatient norm for emotional status (71% of early stage and 64% of advanced stage survivors).
- Overall QOL, fatigue, hopelessness, spirituality, social support, degree to which unmet needs were met, and use of complementary therapy did not differ between the 2 groups.
- No advanced-stage OCS had diagnosable PTSD scores, while 6.9% of early stage survivors had scores indicative of PTSD.
- Decreased sexual interest attributed to cancer and anxiety when getting CA-125 testing were of concern for both groups.
- OCS used on average 5 CAM to improve their QOL.
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