Original scientific paper
Assessment of Quality of Life Following Diagnosis in Patients with Cervicofacial Non-melanoma Skin Cancer
Pablo García-Montero
; Department of Dermatology, Hospital Costa del Sol, Marbella, Spain
María Victoria de Gálvez-Aranda
; Universidad de Málaga, Málaga, Spain
Nuria Blázquez-Sánchez
; Department of Dermatology, Hospital Costa del Sol, Marbella, Spain
Francisco Rivas-Ruíz
; Research Unit, Hospital Costa del Sol, Marbella, Spain
Cristina García Harana
; Department of Dermatology, Hospital Costa del Sol, Marbella, Spain; 2Universidad de Málaga, Málaga, Spain
Magdalena de Troya Martín
; Department of Dermatology, Hospital Costa del Sol, Marbella, Spain; 2Universidad de Málaga, Málaga, Spain
Abstract
Non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) is the most common neoplasm.
The characteristics of this disease (location in aesthetically sensitive
areas, the appearance of successive tumors during follow-up, and high
rates of survival) are such that the concept of health-related quality of
life (HRQoL) is of particular importance. The aim of the present study was
to describe and analyses patient quality of life following diagnosis with
cervicofacial NMSC. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on
patients with cervicofacial NMSC, confirmed by skin biopsy. In each case,
when the definitive diagnosis of NMSC was established, the patient completed
the Skin Cancer Index questionnaire and demographic data, health
status, and sun exposure habits were recorded. The study population was
composed of 220 patients with histologically confirmed cervicofacial
NMSC. The mean score obtained for the Skin Cancer Index questionnaire
was 54.1 (SD 21.9), in which the social-aesthetic component had a mean
score of 76.7 (SD 26.2), while the emotional component had a mean score
of 23 (SD 25.1). Male patients, those with secondary or higher education,
and those who had no history of anxiety or depression had significantly
higher mean scores for HRQoL. This study demonstrated that the diagnosis
of cervicofacial NMSC significantly impacts HRQoL and that certain
population groups (women, persons with only primary or no education
qualifications, and those a history of anxiety or depression) are more susceptible.
The questionnaire scores obtained were lower than those reported
in previous studies on this topic and reflect a particularly strong impact
on emotional aspects of patient quality of life.
Keywords
skin cancer, basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, quality of life
Hrčak ID:
274679
URI
Publication date:
15.12.2021.
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