Cancer-related concerns among women with a new diagnosis of gynecological cancer: an exploration of age group differences

Shannon Myers Virtue, Sharon L Manne, Melissa Ozga, David Kissane, Stephen C Rubin, Carolyn J Heckman, Norman G Rosenblum, John J Graff

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9 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The study aimed to characterize cancer-related concerns among women with a new diagnosis of gynecological cancer froma developmental life stage perspective. The study compared the degree of cancer-related concern between young women (45 years or younger), middle age women (46-64 years), and older women (65 years or older). Materials/Methods: Data from women (N = 243) with a condition diagnosed as primary gynecological cancer who were participating in a randomized control trial were analyzed. Women completed ameasure that assessed the degree of concern in 12 cancer-related domains (physical functioning, cancer treatment, emotional functioning, sexual functioning, disease progression/death, own well-being, partner well-being, relationship with spouse/partner, body image, relationship with others, employment, and finances). Multivariate comparisons were made between the 3 age groups on the cancer-related concerns. Results: There were age group differences in overall cancer-related concern and specific cancer-related domains. Young women reported the greatest cancer-related concern (P <0.001). They reported greater concern over emotional functioning (P <0.001) and sexual functioning (P <0.001) compared to themiddle- and older-age groups.Older women reported less concern over the impact of cancer on finances (P = 007). There were no differences between age groups in concern over physical impairment, cancer treatment, disease progression/death, own well-being, partner well-being, relationship with spouse/partner, body image, and relationship with others. Conclusions: Age may play an important role in the impact of a gynecological cancer diagnosis in domains of functioning, specifically emotional functioning, sexual functioning, and finances. Other cancer-related areas may represent more universal degree of impact. Professionals may benefit from considering the impact of cancer from a developmental life stage perspective.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)165 - 171
Number of pages7
JournalInternational Journal of Gynecological Cancer
Volume24
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2014

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