Quality of life and its predictors among women with gynaecological cancers

Background: Survival rates among gynaecological cancer patients have increased over time; however, patients must now cope with long-term treatment-related issues affecting their quality of life (QOL). Little is known about the factors influencing QOL in patients with gynaecological cancers in the Chinese population. Aim: To identify QOL predictors among patients with gynaecological cancers, and examine the relationship between QOL and demographics, stress, coping strategies, and social support. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 111 patients who were recruited from the gynaecological oncology outpatient department of a hospital in Taiwan. Findings: Patients’ QOL was positively correlated with marriage, emotion-focused coping, problem-focused coping, and social support. QOL was negatively correlated with malfunctioning coping strategies and stress. Regression models accounted for 19%–30% of the variance across the four domains of QOL. Stress was a significant predictor of all QOL domains. Social support was the main predictor of the social relationships and environment QOL domains. The lowest QOL score was for sexual life. Discussion: Patients with gynaecological cancers reported lower levels of satisfaction with the social relationships and psychological health domain of QOL. Diagnosis and treatment for a gynaecological cancer may impact how women perceive their femininity and relationship with their husband. Conclusions: This study provides a comprehensive picture for nurses to understand the factors associated with QOL among patients with gynaecological cancers in the Chinese cultural context. Screening for stress is important since stress was the main predictor for all domains of QOL among patients. Providing support, especially familial and emotional support, to patients with Chinese cultural backgrounds is critical because of their family values. Offering a private space to discuss the patients’ concern and carefully observing their non-verbal language are essential because these patients often do not talk about their cancer and sexual life openly and publicly.