QUALITY OF LIFE AMONG CANCER PATIENTS AFTER RADIOTHERAPY AT CAN THO ONCOLOGY HOSPITAL
Main Article Content
Abstract
Background: Quality of life is an important outcome reflecting treatment effectiveness and supportive care needs in cancer patients, especially after radiotherapy. Objectives: To identify the statement of quality of life and to explore some factors associated with the quality of life among cancer patients after radiotherapy at Can Tho Oncology Hospital in 2025. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted on 87 inpatients with cancer who had received at least one radiotherapy session. Quality of life was assessed using the EORTC QLQ-C30 questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, the Mann–Whitney U test, and the Kruskal–Wallis test. Results: The mean score global quality of life was 43.3 ± 17.9; the mean functional score was 35.9 ± 14.2; the mean symptom score was 23.3 ± 17.1; and the mean financial difficulty score was 27.6 ± 19.0. Within the functional domains, role functioning had the highest mean score (59.4 ± 30.5), while emotional functioning had the lowest score (19.3 ± 18.1). Among symptoms, insomnia (40.2 ± 34.2), appetite loss (33.3 ± 30.5), and pain (24.5 ± 23.5) were the most prominent problems. Economic status was significantly associated with global health status (p = 0.013) and financial difficulty (p = 0.010); time since diagnosis was associated with functional score (p = 0.020); and number of radiotherapy sessions was associated with symptom score (p = 0.035). Conclusion: Quality of life among cancer patients after radiotherapy remained low, particularly in emotional functioning and symptom burden. Strengthening psychological support, symptom control, and financial support is warranted.
Keywords
Cancer, radiotherapy, quality of life, EORTC QLQ-C30
Article Details
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