Pattern of cancers, co-existing non communicable diseases, and quality of life among elderly in a tertiary oncology health-care facility in Southwestern Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Cancer burden is worldwide in distribution, but there is an increasing proportion of the burden in low- and middle-income countries. Cancer has been shown to be responsible for poor health-related quality of life (QoL) in the elderly who are usually more affected. The aim of the study was to determine the pattern of cancers and QoL amongst elderly patients attending the Oncology Clinic in Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi – Araba, Lagos, Nigeria. Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out among 160 elderly patients in Oncology Clinic in LUTH using consecutive sampling method. Data were collected using a validated questionnaire that was interviewer administered. Data entry and analysis were done using Epi-info 7.1 software. Chi-squared test was used to determine the association between patterns of cancer and QoL. The level of significance was set at P < 0.05. Results: The mean age of the respondents was 67.90 ± 19.3 years. About two-thirds (65.6%) were females, married (78.8%), and above one-half (52.5%) were employed. Majority of the respondents (92.5%) had caregivers who were their family members. The most common cancers seen were breast (44.4%), prostate (16.9%), cervical (9.4%), colorectal cancer (3.8%), and nasal carcinoma (3.8%) Two-third of the respondents (66.9%) had poor QoL scores. The mental component of QoL summary, (47.65 ± 17.1) was slightly higher than the physical component summary, (46.4 ± 14.6). No association was found between pattern of cancer and QoL (P > 0.05). Conclusion: Most participants in this study had poor QoL. Improving the socioeconomic status of these patients as well as affordable access to health-care may impact positively on their QoL.