Changes in the importance of quality of life domains after cancer diagnosis

The aim of this study was to describe what domains in quality of life were considered most or least important by patients with newly diagnosed cancer and in what way the domains of importance changed during a 9-month period. We also analysed the impact of selected demographic variables on the import ant domains. The Ferrans' and Powers' Quality of Life Index was used to mea sure quality of life. As this index consists of one section measuring the i mportance of various domains of life, information about changing standards was available. The study sample consisted of 131 adult patients recently di agnosed with different cancers. The whole sample filled in the questionnair e once, while part of the sample (n = 41) filled it in four times during a 9-month period. items related to family matters were rated as most importan t, while faith in God was reported to be of least importance. The patients fluctuated somewhat in terms of what was most important to them during the study period. Overall, the most unstable items tended to be less important over time. In addition, results showed significant differences in the impor tance of quality of life domains according to gender, age, educational leve l and cohabitation.