QUALITY-OF-LIFE IN ADULT SURVIVORS OF LUNG, COLON AND PROSTATE-CANCER

In a cross-sectional study design, a disease free sample of 57 lung, 1 17 colon, and 104 prostate cancer survivors who represented short, int ermediate and long-term survivors completed a detailed assessment of q uality of life (QOL) and rehabilitation needs using the CAncer Rehabil itation Evaluation System (CARES). Demographic and medical data, socia l support, and a global QOL rating were also assessed. Lung cancer pat ients showed no differences in QOL with respect to their period of sur vival. QOL improved for survivors of colon cancer as they lived for lo nger periods, but declined with time for survivors of prostate cancer. The best predictor of QOL for all groups was KPS, although other vari ables such as type of hospital, gender, and work status were predictiv e for survivors of colon cancer. For survivors of prostate cancer como rbidity with other medical illnesses, time since diagnosis and comorbi dity due to psychiatric difficulties were predictive of QOL. All group s had significant rehabilitation problems in the domains of physical, psychosocial, sexual, medical interaction, and marital relationships. Lung cancer survivors had more problems than the other cancer survivor s. We conclude that patients who survive cancer do not return to a sta te of normal health. They demonstrate a variety of difficulties with w hich they must cope as they continue to survive. Greater efforts need to be made early in diagnosis and treatment to understand rehabilitati on problems and target interventions in the hope of reducing later seq uelae.