Patient-reported outcomes in cancer survivors: a population-wide cross-sectional study

This paper outlines a population-wide cross-sectional study of cancer survivors in Australia and was led by PC4 members Michael Jefford, Jon Emery and Mei Krishnasamy. It demonstrates cancer survivors experience inferior quality of life (QoL) for years following their diagnosis. The study used a postal survey to assess the quality of life of survivors of breast, colorectal, or prostate cancer, non-Hodgkin lymphoma and melanoma. The survey results from nearly 5000 patients identified that breast and colorectal survivors, in particular, experience more difficulties with QoL than prostate cancer and melanoma survivors. Additionally, symptoms such as trouble sleeping, fatigue, trouble concentrating and fear of recurrence persist up to 5 years post-diagnosis. These results provide useful insights into symptoms that survivors might present and discuss with their GP’s along with highlighting the need for future research that focuses on the mechanisms behind these persistent symptoms.   Read the full article here.