Quality of life and cancer

ABSTRACT

Objective: This study aims to evaluate the Quality of Life of patients with cancer. Methods: A Quality of Life evaluation instrument developed by The World Health Organization – WHOQOL-bref, was used. The investigation had as research subjects people distributed in two groups one composed of 50 female and male adult patients engaged in treatment for different types of cancer in the Oncology Center of Hospital Municipal Dr. Mário Gatti, Campinas/SP, Brazil, and the other composed by 70control-volunteers. Results: The groups did not present statistically significant differences regarding general psychological aspects, satisfaction with health and Quality of Life. In the final considerations, the study reaffirms the complexity, the subjective aspects and the magnitude of the concept of Quality of Life and recommends that one associates a qualitative evaluation for allowing subjective comprehension to occur.