"Still a Cancer Patient"-Associations of Cancer Identity With Patient-Reported Outcomes and Health Care Use Among Cancer Survivors.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The concept of cancer identity is gaining attention as more individuals are living with cancer as a chronic illness. Research is limited, and results suggest that a self-identity as "cancer patient" rather than a "cancer survivor" is associated with depression and lower health-related quality of life (HRQL). We aimed to identify factors associated with patient identity and investigate the associations between patient identity and treatment, health care use, psychosocial distress, and HRQL.

Methods

We used data from the population-based CAncEr Survivorship: A multi-Regional (CAESAR) study. Breast, colorectal, and prostate cancer survivors diagnosed during 1994-2004 completed a postal survey on patient identity, HRQL, psychological distress, and health care use in 2

SUBMITTER: Thong MSY 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6649846 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature