Quality of Life and Associated Factor among Cancer Survivors in Korea

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: New and more effective treatments for cancer have resulted in individuals living longer with a better quality of life. Thus, the Quality of life (QoL) is now a major concern of cancer survivors. This study tried to identify the factors affecting the quality of life among cancer survivors. METHODS: Data was collected from the sixth (2013-2015) National Health and Nutrition Survey. Among total 16,522 participants aged 19 years old or more, 721 cancer survivors who had any previous history of cancer were included in the analysis. QoL was measured using EuroQoL-5D which evaluated 5 domains including the problem of mobility, self-care, usual activity, pain, and anxiety. RESULTS: Cancer survivors had lower QoL than the general population and participants with other chronic disease. Among cancer survivors, age had the strongest association with mobility. The problem of self-care was affected by age, female, income state, and comorbidity. More income had an impact on better self-care. The problem of usual activity was affected by job state, stress and comorbidity. There was a positive association between job status and the problem of usual activity. The problem of pain was related with female, education state, and stress. Higher education was associated with lower problem of pain. The problem of anxiety was in relation with age, female, and stress. CONCLUSIONS: To improve the QoL of cancer survivors, the appropriate intervention is needed for effective management considering the different factors which affect the QoL of the cancer survivors.