Abstract

PURPOSE
This study was to identify the level of quality of life in patients with woman cancer across treatment phases.
METHODS
The research method was a cross-sectional descriptive study. Data was collected by questionnaires from 226 female, who were in- and out-patients. They were diagnosed with breast and uterine cancer from three university hospitals and two general hospitals. The instruments used for this study included, "the Quality Of Life Scale(QOL)". The collected data were analyzed using Frequency, Percentage, ANOVA, Two-Way ANOVA.
RESULTS
Quality of life of women cancer patients was significantly different according to three treatment phases. Quality of life of women cancer patients was not significantly different according to areas of disease in the three treatment phases. Quality of life of women cancer patients was significantly different according to level of fatigue in the three treatment phases. Quality of life of women cancer patients was significantly different according to level of perceived health status in the three treatment phases(F=60.14, p=.000). Quality of life of women cancer patients was significantly different according to education level(F=3.70, p=.027) & occupation(F=5.67, p=.018) in three treatment phases.
CONCLUSION
Strategies for intervention are needed to improve the quality of life in women cancer patients across the treatment phases. The significant several characteristics of affecting on quality of life across treatment phases should be considered in sociopsychological nursing intervention.

• Keywords: Women cancer patients; Quality of life; Treatment phases