Long-term quality of life in Australian women previously diagnosed with gynaecologic cancer

The purpose of this study is to investigate challenges to quality of life (QOL) among women previously diagnosed with gynaecologic cancer accessing a metropolitan Australian oncology service. Indices of QOL investigated were anxiety, depression, sexual morbidity, body image and supportive care needs. Findings are to inform service planning and research priorities.

This study is a cross-sectional analysis of 176 women diagnosed with gynaecologic cancer from 1997 to 2006. Data were collected from medical records and via self-report questionnaire comprising validated measures of QOL indices.

Respondents have cancers of the endometrium (n = 56, 32%), ovary (n = 71, 40%), cervix (n = 27, 15%) and other less common types (n = 22, 13%). Mean (SD) age and time since diagnosis were 58.6 (13.2) and 4.7 (2.9) years, respectively. Using cut-offs of ≥8 and ≥11 on the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, 55 (31%) and 27 (15%) women reported anxiety and 28 (16%) and 10 (6%) women reported depression, respectively. On average, 5.26 unmet needs were reported. Concerns about recurrence were the most common unmet need (30%). Two thirds had not been sexually active in the preceding month. Most (87%) were not worried about their sex life or lack thereof. Mean (SD) score on the Body Image Scale was 7.21 (7.37). Tumour groups did not differ on any outcomes.

Despite limitations, these data shed light on challenges to QOL of a heterogeneous group of gynaecologic cancer survivors. Sexual and psychological morbidity outcomes compare favourably with the literature while body image disturbance may present a useful target for clinical intervention.