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. 2010 Jul;118(1):35-42.
doi: 10.1016/j.ygyno.2010.02.027. Epub 2010 Apr 10.

Surviving cervical cancer: does health-related quality of life influence survival?

Kimlin T Ashing-Giwa  1 , Jung-Won Lim, Julia Tang
Affiliations

Surviving cervical cancer: does health-related quality of life influence survival?

Kimlin T Ashing-Giwa et al. Gynecol Oncol. 2010 Jul.

Abstract

Objective: This study investigates the association between health-related quality of life (HRQOL) outcomes and survival status among a population-based cohort diagnosed with invasive cancer of the cervix uteri.

Methods: This study is based on data from 353 multiethnic cervical cancer survivors (CCS) recruited through the California Cancer Surveillance Program. The independent variable is HRQOL measured by the FACT-CX (FACT-G plus additional items) and the SF-12. The dependent variable is survival from date of the HRQOL survey. Kaplan-Meier estimates and univariate and multivariate Cox Proportional Hazards Regression models were used to examine the relationship between HRQOL and survival.

Results: In the Kaplan-Meier analyses, the FACT-CX functional well-being score equal to or above the median score was significantly associated with improved overall survival (X(2)=7.19; p=0.007). Significant differences in survival were observed for the SF-12 physical and mental health component scores. In the multivariate Cox regression analyses, the final model indicated that the FACT-CX total scores, functional well-being, and additional cervical cancer concerns subscales, and the SF-12 physical and mental component summary scores significantly influenced survival, after controlling for medical characteristics. However, the FACT components that do not include cervical cancer specific items including mean standardized FACT-G and physical, emotional, and social/family well-being subscales were not predictors of survival before and after adjustment for covariates.

Conclusions: The results of this study advance the current scientific knowledge by confirming that HRQOL outcomes, in particular the physical, function and mental health dimensions are associated with survival for CCS. These findings highlight the utility of cancer site specific HRQOL data to inform the psychosocial and symptom management aspects, as well as the medical follow-up care practice and research that may extend life.

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