Abstract
Methods
A questionnaire survey was conducted among 723 women diagnosed with ovarian or endometrial cancer from 2006 to 2007; 453 women
were chosen to participate in the study. Data on total delay (number of weeks between first cancer symptom and initiation
of treatment) were available from 353 women.
were chosen to participate in the study. Data on total delay (number of weeks between first cancer symptom and initiation
of treatment) were available from 353 women.
Results
Experiencing longer total delay was associated with reduced overall QoL and appetite loss among ovarian cancer patients, while
longer total delay was associated with reduced overall QoL, reduced role and social functioning, and increased fatigue, insomnia
and constipation among endometrial cancer patients. Likewise, longer total delay was associated with decreased patient satisfaction
for both cancer types. For survival and QoL scores, worse scores for pain were statistically significantly associated with
reduced survival for women diagnosed with ovarian cancer, while reduced overall QoL, physical, role and emotional functioning
as well as increased nausea and vomiting, pain, dyspnoea and appetite loss were associated with reduced survival for women
diagnosed with endometrial cancer. For survival and patient satisfaction, associations were not significant when adjusted
for diagnosis, age, cancer stage and radicality of operation.
longer total delay was associated with reduced overall QoL, reduced role and social functioning, and increased fatigue, insomnia
and constipation among endometrial cancer patients. Likewise, longer total delay was associated with decreased patient satisfaction
for both cancer types. For survival and QoL scores, worse scores for pain were statistically significantly associated with
reduced survival for women diagnosed with ovarian cancer, while reduced overall QoL, physical, role and emotional functioning
as well as increased nausea and vomiting, pain, dyspnoea and appetite loss were associated with reduced survival for women
diagnosed with endometrial cancer. For survival and patient satisfaction, associations were not significant when adjusted
for diagnosis, age, cancer stage and radicality of operation.
Conclusions
We found that few QoL measures were associated with total delay and survival for ovarian cancer, while a number of associations
were found between QoL, total delay and survival for endometrial cancer patients. This supports the hypothesis that long total
delay may influence QoL and survival for some cancer patients. Reduced patient satisfaction with the diagnostic phase was
also statistically significantly associated with long total delay, highlighting that total delay is an important component
in patients’ evaluation of the care they receive.
were found between QoL, total delay and survival for endometrial cancer patients. This supports the hypothesis that long total
delay may influence QoL and survival for some cancer patients. Reduced patient satisfaction with the diagnostic phase was
also statistically significantly associated with long total delay, highlighting that total delay is an important component
in patients’ evaluation of the care they receive.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-7
- DOI 10.1007/s11136-011-0077-3
- Authors
- Kirstine M. Robinson, Department of Health Services Research, Institute of Public Health, Copenhagen University, Oester Farimagsgade 5B, 1014 Copenhagen K, Denmark
- Karl Bang Christensen, Department of Biostatistics, Institute of Public Health, Copenhagen University, Oester Farimagsgade 5B, 1014 Copenhagen K, Denmark
- Bent Ottesen, The Juliane Marie Centre for Women, Copenhagen University Hospital, Blegdamsvej 9, 2100 Copenhagen Ø, Denmark
- Allan Krasnik, Department of Health Services Research, Institute of Public Health, Copenhagen University, Oester Farimagsgade 5B, 1014 Copenhagen K, Denmark
- Journal Quality of Life Research
- Online ISSN 1573-2649
- Print ISSN 0962-9343