Understanding the impact of the treatment pathway upon the health-related quality of life of women with newly diagnosed endometrial cancer - a qualitative study.
Eur J Oncol Nurs
; 18(2): 211-7, 2014 Apr.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-24290535
PURPOSE: (1) To determine the impact of treatment and recovery on the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of endometrial cancer (EC) patients. (2) To explore how treatment types and delivery affect HRQoL and invite suggestions for improvement. METHODS: Qualitative study. In-depth, semi-structured interviews at 3, 6, 9 or 12 months post-treatment were carried out with 22 women with stage IA to IVB EC who had undergone treatment at a tertiary referral centre for gynaecological cancers in Sheffield, UK. 21 were treated surgically and 4 received adjuvant treatment. Data were analysed using an inductive thematic approach. RESULTS: Four dominant themes emerged regarding the treatment pathway: pre-treatment concerns, experience during treatment, post-treatment and survivorship issues. Expectations and understandings of EC and its treatment were often inaccurate. Proper explanations eased anxiety but were uncommon. Laparoscopic surgery was welcomed where offered but did not necessarily influence coping ability. Instead, women evaluated treatment impacts against their expectations. Treatments affected women's physical abilities, self-perception and relationships resulting in re-evaluation of lifestyle. CONCLUSIONS: The impact of treatment upon HRQoL for women with EC differs from other gynaecological cancers. Better information provision would enhance coping ability. Coping methods and expectations appear to influence HRQoL more than treatment modality.
Key words
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Quality of Life
/
Health Status
/
Endometrial Neoplasms
Type of study:
Diagnostic_studies
/
Etiology_studies
/
Guideline
/
Observational_studies
/
Prognostic_studies
/
Qualitative_research
/
Risk_factors_studies
Aspects:
Determinantes_sociais_saude
/
Patient_preference
Limits:
Adult
/
Aged
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Middle aged
Country/Region as subject:
Europa
Language:
En
Journal:
Eur J Oncol Nurs
Journal subject:
ENFERMAGEM
/
NEOPLASIAS
Year:
2014
Document type:
Article
Country of publication:
United kingdom