A validation study of the Dutch version of the Quality of Life-Cancer Survivor (QOL-CS) questionnaire in a group of prostate cancer survivors

Abstract

The primary objective of this study was to validate the Dutch version of the Quality of Life-Cancer Survivor (QOL-CS) questionnaire using a group of Dutch prostate cancer survivors. The QOL-CS was specifically designed to measure the quality of life of long-term cancer survivors. We performed a population-based, cohort study of 784 prostate cancer survivors who were diagnosed with prostate cancer between 1994 and 1998. To determine the test-retest reliability, second questionnaires were sent to 109 participants, of whom 103 (94%) returned the forms. The quality of life in Dutch long-term prostate cancer survivors was adequately measured by the physical, psychological and social well-being subscale and can be used in order to measure the specific aspects of quality of life important to cancer survivors. However, as the subscale spiritual well-being showed a low internal consistency, which could be related to cultural background, it seems to be appropriate to evaluate the validity and reliability of the QOL-CS in other cultural settings.