Impact of a cancer diagnosis on quality of life among cancer survivors and their partners.

OBJECTIVE

The present study aims to estimate the association between a cancer diagnosis and a poor quality of life (QoL) among patients with cancer and their partners.

METHODS AND MEASURES: This study was based on data from the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE, 6th Wave-2015). All cancer survivors (CS, n = 2,040) who lived with a partner in the same household, as well as their partners (PCS, n = 2,040), were selected. They were country-, sex-, age- and education-matched (1:1) to non-cancer individuals (NC) and their partners (PNC), respectively. QoL was assessed using the Control, Autonomy, Self-realisation and Pleasure scale (CASP-12).

RESULTS

In nearly one-fifth of couples, both members reported a poor QoL (17.0%); this outcome was more frequently observed among CS than in NC [Odds Ratio (OR)=1.31, 95% Confidence Interval (CI):1.10-1.56]. A poor QoL was observed among couples with cancer, particularly those who lived in urban areas (OR = 1.91, 95%CI:1.30-2.80), with no multimorbidity (OR = 2.07, 95%CI:1.14-3.76), those diagnosed <5 years (OR = 1.65, 95%CI:1.21-2.24) and with cancers with a usually poor prognosis (OR = 1.82, 95%CI:1.04-3.18).

CONCLUSION

A poor QoL among both couples' members was more frequent among couples dealing with cancer than those without cancer, highlighting the importance of closely monitoring CS and their partners.