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Impact of Cancer on Health-Related Quality of Life of Older Americans 

Background: The impact of cancer on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) is poorly understood because of the lack of baseline HRQOL status before cancer diagnosis. To our knowledge, this is the first population-based study to quantify the nature and extent of HRQOL changes from before to after cancer diagnosis for nine types of cancer patients and to compare their health with individuals without cancer.

Methods: The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results cancer registry data were linked with the Medicare Health Outcomes Survey (MHOS) data . . .

Conclusion: These findings provide validation of the specific deleterious effects of cancer on HRQOL and an evidence base for future research and clinical interventions aimed at understanding and remediating these effects. . . .

Contribution

All cancer patients, except melanoma and endometrial cancer, had lower mean physical health scores than control subjects, but only patients with colorectal, prostate, and lung cancers had lower mean mental health scores than control subjects. Patients with prostate, bladder, colorectal, kidney, or lung cancer or NHL reported greater declines in their social roles and well-being than controls.

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