Abstract
Purpose : To elucidate the factors that influence the QOL of cancer patients who have undergone radiotherapy in the outpatient setting. Subjects and Methods : The patient's quality of life (QOL) was investigated by using the QOL evaluation standard FACT-G in 73 cancer patients (mean age 64.2±12.2 yrs SD) who had undergone radiotherapy as outpatients. Results : The mean QOL score was 74.8±17.1 pointy, and a significant difference was seen in about 25 items as a result of examining the factors that influenced the patient's QOL. In addition, a stepwise multiple regression analysis revealed that the factors which influenced the QOL were the operation due to the original disease, social support (excluding the family), tiredness, relapse and the metastasis, PS, uneasiness of presence in descending order of influence. Conclusion : The results revealed the strong influence of psychological, mental and social factors on the QOL score. From the patient of view of nursing support for cancer patients, screening for these factors may allow earlier detection of any decrease in the QOL, or identify when the QOL has already decreased. Furthermore, support should be initiated at as early a stage as possible.
