Association Between Lifestyle Factors and Quality of Life, Phsycological Distress Among Colorectal Survivors

Abstract

Background & Aims: Colorectal cancer is the fourth most common cancer in Iran, which has a substantial contribution to the creation of physical, psychological, social factors in patients. Lifestyle modification in cancer survivors for a better quality of life and mental health is necessary. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between the lifestyle and quality of life and emotional distress in colorectal cancer survivors in Babol, Mazandaran. Materials & Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed in 2013on the identified survivors of colorectal cancer in the Cancer Registry list between 2007 to 2012.A questionnaire containing demographic data, disease characteristics, lifestyle behaviors (fruit and vegetable consumption, smoking and physical activity by Godin questionnaire), health-related quality of life (using a EORTC-QLQ-C30 standard questionnaire) and HADS questionnaire were completed to evaluate anxiety and depression by interviews conducted atpatients’ homes. Results: A total number of 237 patients were registered at the interval of whom only 120 were alive and available until 2012. Among them, 75 (62.5%) patients were men and three were women. The results showed smoking (cigarettes, hookah and opium) consumption in 21 (17.5%); 103 (85.5%) patients had less than 5 servings of fruits and vegetables a day, and only 15 (12.5%) patients had an adequate physical activity per week.The (SD) scores on overall measures of quality of life and function (19.1) were 52.2 and (17.9) 64.9; and depression and anxiety level in patients were reported23.4% and 30.8%respectively.Just more of physical activity per week with better quality of life and,among the demographic variables, higher education were associated with quality of life.Smoking is also associated with more depression and anxiety, and among demographic variables, are also residential area, gender and education have been associated with anxiety and depression.D Abstract Conclusion: The quality of life in survivors of colorectal cancer is average, the Prevelance of anxiety and depression is remarkable and a large proportion of survivors have health behaviors less than desirable.Thus, planning and interventions to reduce risk factors, education on healthy lifestyles, health care managers to pay more attention to the physical and psychological needs of patients, enabling staff to teach the skills necessary to learn the warning signs of colorectal cancer screening are emphasized.