TITLE:
Quality of Life in Ovarian-Cancer Patients Receiving Chemotherapy
AUTHORS:
Tohmina Akhter, Shahana Pervin, Annekathryn Goodman
KEYWORDS:
Quality of Life, EORTC QLQ C30, EORTC QOL OV-28, Ovarian Cancer, Chemotherapy, Bangladesh
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Cancer Therapy,
Vol.11 No.11,
November
19,
2020
ABSTRACT: Background: Ovarian cancer accounts for 4% of cancers occurring in
women and ranks first in gynecological cancer mortality. Maintaining and improving
quality of life is an important goal of cancer treatment. The toxicities of cancer
treatment particularly chemotherapy can impact an individual’s wellbeing. Objective: Assessment of quality of life among ovarian cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. Method: A descriptive study was conducted among 202 patients with ovarian cancer
treated at the National Institute of Cancer Research and Hospital in Bangladesh.
Ethical approval was received from the ethics committee of NICRH. Data was collected
using the EORTC QLQC30 questionnaire and the ovarian cancer specific EORTC QOL OV-28
module. Functional, symptomatic and global variables were scored and analyzed by
SPSS. Multiple linear regressions determined the effects of predictor variables
and correlation of the global health status with other variables. Results: 48.6% of patients were ages 41 to 50 years. The mean
score of global health status was 55.77. Deteriorating emotional function,
distressing physical and psychological symptoms, sexual dysfunction and financial
difficulties adversely affect the quality of life. Their correlation with global
health status was strongly significant (P value -0.604; p -0.442; p -0.339; p -0.377; p -0.369; p -0.262; p Conclusion: The overall quality
of life among the ovarian cancer patients receiving chemotherapy is low. Increasing
knowledge in this area will help clinicians to optimize patient management. Interventions
should focus on both physical and psychological and sexual health issues that adversely
affect the quality of life.