Quality of life in long-term survivors of cervical cancer

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the quality of life within a sample of cervical cancer survivors. Study design: In this study, 46 cer vical cancer survivors at clinical stage I or II and one survivor at stage 0, were evaluated. Two control groups were selected from an ongoing cohort study, in which 527 women were postmenopausal and 344 women were postmenopa usal with HRT. All controls and cancer survivors completed a self-evaluatin g questionnaire pertaining to personal conditions, medical surveillance, in dividual well-being and quality of life. Results: Eighteen cervical cancer survivors were ovaries preserved. A total of 28 survivors, who had an oopho rectomy, were compared with the controls. Most of the cancer survivors had a good socio economic background and an active lifestyle. Forty-two percent were currently under medical surveillance and used medication regularly. T he ratio of HRT users was higher in the oophorectomy group (36% in both sho rt- and long-term therapy). With regard to the quality of life, there were no remarkable differences between oophorectomy survivors and controls. Exce pt that the psychological condition in the ovaries preserved group was wors e, the rest of the findings concerning the quality of life derived from the ovaries preserved group were rather close to that of the oophorectomy grou p. Conclusion: The quality of life in long-term cervical cancer survivors i s generally satisfactory. The positive results may be due to the higher rat io of HRT use, ovarian preservation, good education, working conditions, as well as an active lifestyle. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All ri ghts reserved.