Barriers and applied activity, quality of life and self-efficacy in prostate cancer survivors 1 year after completing radiotherapy.

PURPOSE: The aims of the study were to assess self-reported physical activity (PA) levels, barriers to PA, quality of life and self-efficacy to manage chronic disease of prostate cancer survivor 1 year after radiotherapy treatment. METHODS: A cross-sectional case-control study was performed. Prostate cancer survivor patients treated with radiotherapy were recruited from the Radiation Oncology Service of the "Complejo Hospitalario Universitario" (Granada) and compared with age-matched healthy men. Outcomes included were perception of benefits for physical activity and potential barriers (Exercise Benefits/Barriers Scale), physical activity levels assessed by the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), quality of life (EuroQol five-dimension three-levels) and self-efficacy (Self-Efficacy to Manage Chronic Disease). RESULTS: A total of 120 patients were included in our study. Significant differences were found between groups with worse results for the prostate cancer patient group in the variable perception of the benefit of physical activity, potential barriers, and physical activity. Regarding quality of life and self-efficacy, significant differences were also observed between groups with a greater score in the control group. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, the results of this study reveal that self-reported PA levels, as measured using the IPAQ, were low in prostate cancer survivors after treatment. Results also showed worse perception of benefits for PA and potential barriers by the cancer survivors. Similarly, the quality of life and self-efficacy to manage chronic disease of prostate cancer survivors was lower.

Psychological distress prior to surgery is related to symptom burden and health status in lung cancer survivors.

PURPOSE: Patients with lung cancer experience a variety of distressing symptoms which could adversely affect quality of life. The aim of this study was to determine whether psychological distress prior to surgery is associated to health status and symptom burden in lung cancer survivors. METHODS: A longitudinal observational study with 1-year follow-up was carried out. Health status was measured by the WHO Disability Assessment Scale (WHO-DAS 2.0), the Euroqol-5 dimensions (EQ-5D) and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Symptoms severity included dyspnoea (Multidimensional Profile of Dyspnoea); pain (Brief Pain Inventory); fatigue (Fatigue Severity Scale); and cough (Leicester Cough Questionnaire). RESULTS: One hundred seventy-four lung cancer patients were included. Patients in the group with psychological distress presented a worse self-perceived health status, functionality and sleep quality. The group with psychological distress also presented higher dyspnoea, fatigue and pain. CONCLUSION: Patients with psychological distress prior surgery present with a greater symptom burden and a poorer self-perceived health status, lower functionality and sleep quality, than patients without distress 1 year after the lung resection.