ABSTRACT
Rectal cancer is a significant health problem for patient and results in bowel and sexual function problems. Quality of life is an important outcome measure that has to be considered when deciding treatment strategy for rectal cancer. It has become an integral part of the modern assessment of cancer treatment. This study has been conducted to assess the factors affecting quality of life for patients with rectal cancer undergoing radiotherapy. A descriptive exploratory study was conducted at the surgical outpatient's clinics and Radiotherapy and Nuclear Medicine Department in Ain Shams University Hospitals. A purposive sample of 50 adult patients from both sexes with rectal cancer undergoing radiotherapy were recruited for the conduction of this study, from the above mentioned setting. [1] Patients' interview questionnaire sheet were used to assess factors affecting quality of life [pre treatment course, during radiotherapy and pre surgery], [2] Quality of Life Scale that was used to assess the impact of rectal cancer on the quality of life dimension [physical, psychological, social and spiritual] for the patients during and after radiotherapy and [3] A self-report 5 day diary to identify patients' complications during radiotherapy sessions. The prominent factors affecting on quality of life were patients' age and education, disease stage, side-effects, physical condition and nature of the surgery. There were statistically significant differences between the side-effects during and after radiotherapy, added to the improvement in physical and psychological domains of quality of life post radiotherapy by one month later. There were many factors affecting on quality of life for patients with rectal cancer undergoing radiotherapy [pre treatment course, during radiotherapy and pre surgery]. In addition strong positive correlation was found regarding to these factors and quality of life domains. Further studies are needed to focus on other factors affecting on quality of life for patients with rectal cancer undergoing chemotherapy