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ORIGINAL ARTICLE
Year : 2018  |  Volume : 21  |  Issue : 2  |  Page : 61-69

Quality of life in patients with advanced cervical cancer in Nigeria


1 Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria, Nigeria
2 Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, College of Health Sciences, Kogi State University Anyigba, Kogi State, Nigeria
3 Department of Radiation Oncology, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria

Correspondence Address:
Dr. Marliyya Sanusi Zayyan
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Gynaecological Oncology Unit, Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria
Nigeria
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Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None


DOI: 10.4103/smj.smj_61_16

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Background: Cancer of the cervix is the most common female genital tract malignancy in Nigeria. Patients present in advanced stages of the disease due to ignorance, poverty, lack of national screening program, and poor utilization of the few available services. At a tertiary referral center, a dearth of resources, coupled with high cancer burden, results in many not only succumbing to their disease but also dying in pain and indignity. Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the quality of life (QoL) in patients with advanced cancer of the cervix. Materials and Methods: This is a cross-sectional descriptive study. Women with advanced cancer of the cervix at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria, between April 1 and December 31, 2014 were enrolled in this study. Consecutive patients with histologically confirmed cervical cancer; patients with FIGO stages IIB IIIA, IIIB, IVA, and IVB were recruited. The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Quality of Life Questionnaire–core 30 (QLQ-C30) questionnaire was used to assess their QoL. Two trained nursing staff administered the pretested questionnaires. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software. Results: All domains of QoL were affected in the 378 patients with advanced cervical cancer. Physical functions were affected in 264 (69.9%) role functions in 218 (57.7%), cognitive in 138 (36.5%), emotional in 230 (60.8%), and financial in 288 (76.2%). Sexual domain was affected in more than 323 (85%) of the patients. Reduction in various economic facets was reported by 268 (70.9%) patients. In social domain, only 150 (39.7%) family members and 134 (35.4%) friends were reported to have offered financial support. There was no support from governmental or nongovernmental organizations. Conclusion: Severe disruptions in QoL domains occur in patients with advanced cervical cancer.


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