Quality of life in adult survivors of lung, colon and prostate cancer.

In a cross-sectional study design, a disease free sample of 57 lung, 117 colon, and 104 prostate cancer survivors who represented short, intermediate and long-term survivors completed a detailed assessment of quality of life (QOL) and rehabilitation needs using the CAncer Rehabilitation Evaluation System (CARES). Demographic and medical data, social support, and a global QOL rating were also assessed. Lung cancer patients showed no differences in QOL with respect to their period of survival.

Predicting psychosocial risk in patients with breast cancer.

Breast cancer is the most common neoplasm in North American women. The psychosocial impact of breast cancer has been extensively studied, and a number of investigators have attempted to characterize women who are at high risk for increased psychosocial morbidity. Although a detailed interview performed by a professional is the clinical standard for psychosocial assessment, such interviews are usually time-consuming and expensive, and thus are rarely performed.

Characteristics of women at risk for psychosocial distress in the year after breast cancer.

Purpose: To provide a detailed description of rehabilitation problems of women, considered to be low risk and at risk for psychosocial morbidity, diagnosed with stage I and II breast cancer 1 month and 1 year after primary treatment.

Patients And Methods: A sample of 227 newly diagnosed breast cancer patients were systematically interviewed by a clinical social worker and classified for risk of psychosocial distress in the year after diagnosis. They completed a battery of standardized instruments to assess quality of life (QL), rehabilitation needs, and psychologic distress.

Assessing the needs and quality of life of patients with HIV infection: development of the HIV Overview of Problems-Evaluation System (HOPES).

Objective: To develop and evaluate the psychometric properties (reliability, validity etc.) of a comprehensive Quality of Life (QOL) tool, for patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), that was adapted from a previously validated cancer tool.

Design: Cross-sectional, patient completed written surveys and interviews.

Exploring the influence of multiple variables on the relationship of age to quality of life in women with breast cancer.

This paper explores the relationship between age, psychosocial status and quality of life in a community based sample (n = 229) of newly-diagnosed breast cancer patients. A casement display methodology is used to examine the influence of demographic and medical variables on the outcome variables of interest (psychosocial status and quality of life) and their relationship to age. Based on the literature, a positive relationship between age and psychosocial status was predicted, but the relationship between age and quality of life was uncertain.