Associations of Demographic and Social Factors on Health-Related Quality-of-Life Changes Among Older Women With Breast or Gynecologic Cancer

Oncol Nurs Forum. 2024 Feb 19;51(2):127-141. doi: 10.1188/24.ONF.127-141.ABSTRACTOBJECTIVES: To examine associations of sociodemographic factors and social limitations with health-related quality of life (HRQOL) from pre- to postdiagnosis in older female cancer survivors.SAMPLE & SETTING: 9,807 women aged 65 years or older with breast or gynecologic cancer from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results-Medicare Health Outcomes Survey.METHODS & VARIABLES: Physical and mental HRQOL were assessed using the physical component summary (PCS) and mental component summary (MCS) of the Veterans RAND 12-Item Health Survey. Descriptive statistics and mixed-effects models for repeated measures were used.RESULTS: Social limitations were the only significant factor associated with changes in MCS scores. Race and ethnicity, rurality, and social interference were associated with significant decreases in PCS scores.IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING: Nurses can assess mental and physical HRQOL after diagnosis and advocate for appropriate referrals. Oncology care should be tailored to cultural considerations, including race and ethnicity, rurality, and social support.PMID:38442282 | DOI:10.1188/24.ONF.127-141
Source: Oncology Nursing Forum - Category: Nursing Authors: Source Type: research