Investigating the Psychosocial Impact and Quality of Life in Gyne Cancer Survival Patients

Psychosocial Impact and Quality of Life Among Gynecological Cancer Survivors

Abstract

Gynecologic cancers are on the rise globally. Survivors frequently encounter physical distress aggravated by psychological instability, anxiety, and depression. Quality of life (QoL) includes physical, emotional, social, and functional well-being, rendering it a crucial patient-reported outcome in cancer. Objective: To investigate the psychosocial impact and quality of life in gynaecological cancer survival patients. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Liaquat National Hospital,  Karachi. This study comprised 178 women with ovarian, endometrial, and cervical cancer who were undergoing active therapy at the time data were collected. Psychological well-being was measured by using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and the Distress Thermometer. The collected data were analyzed with IBM SPSS version 27.0. A p-value of ≤ 0.050 was deemed statistically significant. Results: The abnormal anxiety was highly prevalent (110; 61.8%) compared to depression (27; 15.2%). Patients ≤50 years showed significantly higher abnormal anxiety (66.2%) (p-value=0.025) and depression (18.5%). Treatment modality was significant, with combined surgery and chemoradiotherapy showing the highest abnormal depression (32.3%). Patients with abnormal anxiety showed significantly poorer functional status compared with normal anxiety (median FACT score versus 18, with a p-value <0.001). Conclusions: Gynecological cancer survivors face significant psychosocial challenges, with anxiety being more prevalent than depression. Quality of life was markedly impaired, and functional limitations were strongly linked to psychological morbidity.