Comparison of health-related quality of life and emotional distress among Chinese cancer survivors.

The purpose of this study is to compare health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and emotional distress among diverse cancer survivors who had completed all treatment within the previous year. A convenience sample of 353 cancers survivors (lung, head and neck, breast and prostate cancers) were recruited to complete a survey, which consisted of (i) Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scales; (ii) Chinese version of the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General version; and (iii) demographic and clinical data. The HRQoL scores were similar among the four types of survivors. Mild anxiety and depression levels were reported, but no significant difference was noted. Younger females with financial burdens and uncertain prognosis were particularly associated with HRQoL and emotional distress. Further studies are essential to identify specific problems that cancer patients experience after cancer diagnosis that might lead to the early detection of those most at risk of ongoing problems.

Gender differences in the use of colorectal cancer tests among older Chinese adults.

PURPOSE: The study aimed to explore the gender difference in using colorectal cancer (CRC) tests among Chinese aged 50 years or over. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2004 Chinese older adults through anonymous telephone survey which covered socio-demographic variables, health status, use of complementary therapy, health-related perceptions and use of CRC tests. RESULTS: The uptake rate of flexible sigmoidoscopy (FS)/colonoscopy was 14% for males and 10% for females, with males significantly more likely to have had the test after adjusting for their differences in socio-demographics, health status, use of complementary therapies, health-related perceptions and recommendation received from health professionals (adjusted OR = 1.5, 95% CI: 1.1-2.0, p = 0.005). The uptake of fecal occult blood test was nearly the same (19%) for both genders. Further interaction analyses indicates that the effect of a family history of cancer on the uptake of a FS/colonoscopy is significantly weaker in males than in females (the interaction odds ratio = 0.4, 95% CI: 0.2-0.8, p = 0.011), whereas a male perceived that visiting a doctor is good for health will be more likely to have an uptake of a FS/colonoscopy than a female with such perception (the interaction odds ratio = 2.1, 95% CI: 1.1-3.8, p = 0.018). CONCLUSIONS: The uptake of CRC tests was low in this average-risk population. More effort is needed to educate the public about the importance and benefits of CRC tests. In view of the gender differences in some determinants of FS/colonoscopy uptake, particular attention should be given to develop gender-specific strategies to improve the rate.