Quality of life assessment: an independent prognostic variable for survival in lung cancer

Article Abstract:

The majority of cancer studies focus on providing treatment that induces remission, and monitoring the survival of the patient. It is becoming more common, however, for researchers to also examine the quality of life that the cancer patient can achieve. Clearly, quality of life is a worthwhile goal in its own right. In a study of 40 patients with lung cancer, it was found that quality of life had a direct impact on survival among unmarried patients. The quality of life of the patients was quantified on the basis of a questionnaire called the Functional Living Index-Cancer (FLIC), which was designed specifically for evaluating cancer patients. The midpoint of the FLIC was determined, and the patient data were analyzed according to whether the patient fell into the high quality-of-life group or the low group. The median survival for the high group was 24 weeks, but the median survival of the patients with the lower quality-of-life scores was only 11.9 weeks. (Median survival means that half of the patients lived longer than the particular period of time and half did not.) Of course, in a study of this sort, superior quality of life could be due to more successful treatment, and therefore the increased survival could result directly from the treatment and not be the result of the quality of life. However, data analysis was not able to demonstrate any such relationship, indicating that the quality of life was, for these 40 patients, an independent determinant of survival. Curiously, it was found that the quality of life was an independent predictor of survival only for unmarried patients. For married patients, survival was longer than for the unmarried patients, regardless of whether the quality of life scores were high or low. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Behavior, Prognosis, Quality of life, Lung cancer, Cancer survivors, Marital status

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Long-term effects of testicular cancer on sexual functioning in married couples

Article Abstract:

Testicular cancer was formerly a highly fatal disease which struck young men, but it is now curable, and progressively more young men have become long-term survivors. However, side effects of treatment, such as infertility, can accompany survival. The effects of treatment on sexual functioning of married men from the viewpoint of the couple has not previously been addressed. The study found that patients and spouses disagreed on body image, with 24 percent of patients feeling less attractive at four years following treatment. The disturbed body image was related to treatment; orchidectomy (removal of a testicle) strongly affected some patients, regardless of whether a prosthesis was inserted. Chemotherapy and radiation therapy provoked strong responses from patients as well. Another significant difference between spouses was the perception of change in sexual satisfaction, with 29 percent of patients experiencing decreased satisfaction, while 47 percent of their spouses were more satisfied. The frequency of sexual intercourse declined in one third of couples, and spouses agreed in this assessment. Difficulty getting or maintaining an erection was reported by six percent of patients. Few couples reported that infertility was a problem, but half were already parents. Fifty-nine percent of men had stored sperm, and they were more likely not to already have children. In general, wives perceived fewer long-term problems and were extremely supportive. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Sexual behavior, Complications and side effects, Married people, Testicular cancer

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Needs and recommendations for behavior research in the prevention and early detection of cancer

Article Abstract:

Research has demonstrated that a number of important risk factors for cancer may be effectively reduced or eliminated by changes in behavior. Important among these are smoking and its attendant risk of lung cancer, and sun exposure, which contributes to skin cancer and malignant melanoma. In addition, even for risks that would be more difficult to alter behaviorally, such as the risk of breast cancer, behavioral changes may lead to earlier detection and improved treatment. However, there is an immense gap between identifying behaviors which might be altered and actually convincing people to change. The authors outline the current state of knowledge of behavioral strategies for the control of cancer, and discuss priorities for the future. They suggest that rather than study specific techniques that work in specific situations, behavioral research should be oriented towards exploring theories of behavioral change. The authors believe that as stronger theories of behavior emerge, it may be possible to develop strategies of behavioral change which will be effective not only in the one particular case, but for many different cancers and many different diseases. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Research, Prevention, Cancer prevention, Behavioral health care, Behavioral medicine

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