Quality of life of carcinoma cervix patients attending tertiary care hospital: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Abstract Background: In 2012, cervical cancer became the leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women in India, with an estimated 123,000 new cases and 67,477 reported fatalities. Besides its considerable impact on mortality rates, cervical cancer also results in long-term disability, leading to a loss of productive years. Despite the development of various diagnostic and treatment approaches for cervical cancer, survivors still face significant morbidity, which significantly impacts their quality of life (QOL). The primary objective of this study is to assess the QOL of cervical cancer patients to identify and address issues within the current healthcare system. Objective: To investigate the QOL of cervical cancer patients as per the stage of their disease and the type of therapy they receive. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted between January 2023 and August 2023. During this period, patients who visited the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and agreed to take part in the study were included in interviews. The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality-of-Life questionnaire for cervical cancer (EORTC QLQ CX24) was employed to assess the QOL of cervical cancer patients. Results: The participants had an average age of 52.4 years, with a standard deviation of 10.5. Most were diagnosed at advanced disease stages (III and IV), while only approximately one-fourth were at stage I. The predominant treatment modality administered was radiotherapy, followed by surgery and chemotherapy. When examining the QOL, it was observed that individuals at stages I and II of the disease tended to experience more significant concerns related to body image and sexual worries. Additionally, patients in stages I and II and those receiving chemotherapy reported higher scores in terms of sexual activity and sexual enjoyment, indicating a better QOL in these aspects. Conclusion: As the disease stage progressed, there was a decline in QOL. In the early stages of the disease, QOL related to body image and sexual worries was notably lower. In contrast, QOL about sexual activity and sexual enjoyment was comparatively better for these patients. Patients who received chemotherapy or a combination of treatment modalities reported poorer QOL.