Questionnaire Study for Gynecological Cancer Survivors

Since the early 1970s, death rates for the major gynecological tumors have significantly
declined, with a reduction of 42% for endometrial, 49% for cervix, 27% for vagina and vulva,
and 11% for ovarian cancer. Thus, of the approximately 82,000 new gynecologic cases each
year, more women will be living and, necessarily be forced to cope with psychological or
behavioral morbidity. Psychosocial data on cancer patients portray significant fear and
anxiety with diagnosis and treatments and the potential for high levels of psychological and
sexual morbidity. While many studies have been done investigating sexual outcomes, little
data is available on basic domains of quality of life, i.e. emotional or social adjustment,
occupational outcomes, or aspects of physical health that might influence quality of life
for gynecologic cancer survivors. There is a need for basic descriptive research in these
areas, particularly in investigations that include representative samples from differing
socioeconomic and racial/ethnic groups.

The goal of the proposed study is to evaluate quality of life in long-term gynecologic
cancer survivors. The specific aims are to:

1. Describe quality of life (both mental health and physical functioning components),
stress, and sexual functioning among survivors of gynecologic malignancies and

2. Describe differences between disease site groups (i.e. cervical, endometrial, ovarian,
and vulva).

It has been shown with other cancer groups that improvements in mood and coping can be
achieved with brief, cost effective interventions (e.g. ten therapy hours with delivery in a
group format). These are multi-modal interventions with stress reduction, disease/treatment
information, cognitive behavioral coping strategies, and social support. There is suggestive
evidence that disease specific interventions, such as including sexual therapies for
gynecologic patients, can result in improvements as well. Research focus on these issues is
aided by the availability of reliable and valid strategies to assess both quality of life
(SF-36; FACT) and sexuality. Before clinical trials are undertaken, research must provide a
comprehensive assessment of quality of life for gynecologic cancer survivors.

Inclusion Criteria:

- Female participants diagnosed with gynecologic cancer

- Participants between the ages of 20 and 75 years old, inclusive

- Participants previously treated for all stages (I-IV) of the following cancers:
cervix; endometrium; ovary; vulva; vagina; and other genital cancers

- Participants receiving treatment for their primary cancer in the past 2-10 years

Exclusion Criteria:

- Male participants

- Participants with major psychoses (e.g. organic brain syndrome; schizophrenia;
bipolar disorder; or mental retardation).

- Participants with significant hearing deficit

- Participants with prior non-gynecologic cancer diagnosis

- Participants who refused all forms of cancer treatment, whether standard of care or
experimental.

- Participants with deficient ability to read/speak English

- Participants residing >90 miles from the research site

- Participants diagnosed with dementia

- Participants diagnosed with pregnancy