Assessment of Quality of Life of Cancer Survivors in Tertiary Care Hospital at Karachi

Abstract

Background: Cancer is the driving source of deaths and this mortality is quickly expanding day by day. Individuals with tumor experience physical and psychological complications such as anxiety, depression, and emotional distress, which have undesirable impacts on patients’ quality of life. Objectives: This study aimed to observe the quality of life of cancer survivors. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from 25 February to 25th April 2022 by using a consecutive sampling technique. Data were collected by using the FACT-G questionnaire on 320 admitted and OPD cancer survivors in the Department of Clinical Oncology, JPMC. Data were analyzed through SPSS. Descriptive statistics and the Mann-Whitney test was run for demographic variables with two categories and the Kruskal-Wallis test for a variable with more than two categories. Results: Findings of this study showed that most of the study participants (60.9%) were male and married (73.4%). Most were in the age group of 18-30 years (47.5%) Majority of participants were suffering from terminal stages of liquid and solid cancer and on chemo-radiotherapy. Qualification was significantly associated with all four domains. The FWB, SWB, and PWB had a significant association with gender. The residence and cancer stages were associated with the SWB domain and overall FACT-G. The employment status was significantly associated with SWB, PWB, EWB, and FACT-G scores. Conclusion: The quality of life of cancer survivors was influenced by qualification, gender, residence, cancer stage, and employment status. It is essential to initiate suitable programs for cancer patients to enhance their quality of life.