The survival rate of children and
adolescents with cancer has increased because of the early detention and the
innovation in the existing treatments. . However, it has not been possible to
eliminate symptoms occasioned by the disease or its treatment, which are
physical, psychological and social, which affects directly in the quality of life.
Quality of life (QOL) is a subjective concept defined as the feeling of
socioemotional and physical wellbeing, including the ability to participate in
everyday activities according to age. As the World Health Organization
suggested, it is important to evaluate the QOF in children and adolescents with
cancer, in order to be able to intervene opportunely in areas affected by a
cancer diagnosis. This research aims to determine the association between
quality of life and sociodemographic variables in children and adolescents with
cancer and their families. It provides scientific evidence about the necessity
to develop personalized and opportune socioemotional interventions for the
pediatric oncology services.
Age, gender and school level are variables related to QOL in children and adolescents with cancer. Our findings suggest that the male and older patients tend to have lower QOL. School dimension scored lower in QOL evaluation, being one of the most affected areas after the cancer diagnosis for our patients’ sample. Agreeing with the existing scientific evidence, we found differences in the QOL evaluations performed by patients and their parents, reflecting differences in the perception of the conditions faced by the participants. Even when the QOL evaluations performed by parents or guardians provide important information, they do not reflect directly the patients’ QOL perceptions, so, it should not be substitute.
Patients require a multidisciplinary attention that does not only focus in the physical symptoms that children and adolescents with cancer have, but also attends the socioemotional alterations presented according to age, gender and school level. The QOL measurements can orient us about the areas than can be more affected in each group, and plan interventions specific for the individual and family needs. Despite the parents or guarding evaluation of children QOL provide useful information, it does not reflect the QOL perceived by the patients, so, it should not be substituted by them.
Article by Leivy Patricia González-Ramírez
and Ricardo Gómez-Martínez, et al, from University of Guadalajara and Mexican
Social Security Institute, Mexico.
Full access:http://www.scirp.org/Journal/PaperInformation.aspx?PaperID=74934&utm_campaign=blogger&utm_medium=ljw
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| Photo by Staff Sgt. Nathan Bevier, from Flickr-cc. |
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