Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Patients with lung cancer often experience multiple symptoms associated with the disease as well as during the treatment process. The adverse effects may lead of poor Quality of Life (QoL). QoL is an important aspect which needs to be assessed to know the prognosis of the disease. In various studies conducted over the period of time, it has been found that there’s a significantly poor QoL among patients who are diagnosed at advanced stages of the disease.
QoL is defined as the individual’s perception of their position in life in context of the environment in which they live. It is a very broad concept and affects a person’s physical health, social relationships, psychological state and level of independence. Lung cancer patients report poor QoL along with increased psychological distress.
Clinical experts recommend assessment of QoL as an estimation of disease influence on lung cancer patients. QoL should be considered as a part of daily Oncology practice. A systematic study of patients with lung cancer emphasizes on the review of important attributes including QoL. The factors contributing to quality of life are culture, religion, point of view etc. In addition, the physical condition, psychology and social factors also contribute towards it.
Lung cancer patients often experience multiple symptoms and these cause a serious burden on their life. There are also indications that chemotherapy also affects QoL. Health-related QoL is also a useful measure for assessing the impact of therapeutic processes. It is generally affected by patient’s perception of illness and treatment. There’s need to carry out more studies on QoL and mental health with patients having lung cancer.
The information shared in this blog is for educational purposes only. You should always consult with your healthcare provider for any medical needs.