Quality of life in urban and rural settings: A study of head and neck cancer survivors

Thomas, AA; Timmons, A; Molcho, M; Pearce, A; Gallagher, P; Butow, P; O'Sullivan, E; Gooberman-Hill, R; O'Neill, C; Sharp, L

Quality of life in urban and rural settings: A study of head and neck cancer survivors

Thomas, AA Timmons, A Molcho, M Pearce, A

Gallagher, P Butow, P O'Sullivan, E Gooberman-Hill, R O'Neill, C Sharp, L

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Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Oral Oncology, 2014, 50 (7), pp. 676 - 682
Issue Date:: 2014-01-01

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Thomas, AA	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Timmons, A	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Molcho, M	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Pearce, A https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5690-9542	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Gallagher, P	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Butow, P	en_US
dc.contributor.author	O'Sullivan, E	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Gooberman-Hill, R	en_US
dc.contributor.author	O'Neill, C	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Sharp, L	en_US
dc.date.available	2014-03-23	en_US
dc.date.issued	2014-01-01	en_US
dc.identifier.citation	Oral Oncology, 2014, 50 (7), pp. 676 - 682	en_US
dc.identifier.issn	1368-8375	en_US
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/117228
dc.description.abstract	Objective Urban-rural variation in cancer incidence, treatment, and clinical outcomes has been well researched. With the growing numbers and longer lifespan of cancer survivors, quality of life (QOL) is now a critical issue. The present study investigates the QOL of head and neck cancer (HNC) survivors in Ireland, paying special attention to urban and rural variation. Methods From the population-based National Cancer Registry Ireland, we identified 991 survivors of HNC (ICD10 C00-C14, C32), who were at least eight months post-diagnosis, and invited them to complete a postal survey. We used self-reported data and information from the Registry to create a composite variable classifying respondents' current area of residence as "urban" or "rural." Respondents self-reported QOL using the Functional Assessment for Cancer Therapy with Head and Neck module (FACT-HN). We used bootstrap linear regression to control for confounding variables, while estimating the association of urban and rural residence to FACT-HN domain scores. Results We obtained survey and Registry data from 583 HNC survivors. Controlling for demographic and clinical variables, rural survivors reported higher physical (coefficient 1.27, bias-corrected and accelerated 95% confidence interval 0.54, 2.43), emotional (coef. 0.99, 95% CI 0.21, 2.02), and HNC-specific (coef. 1.55, 95% CI 0.32, 3.54) QOL than their urban counterparts. Social and functional QOL did not differ significantly. Conclusions These findings add to growing evidence of important differences in life experiences of cancers survivors in urban and rural settings. Results such as these will allow health professionals, policy makers and service providers to better serve these populations. © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.	en_US
dc.relation.ispartof	Oral Oncology	en_US
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1016/j.oraloncology.2014.03.007	en_US
dc.subject.classification	Oncology & Carcinogenesis	en_US
dc.subject.classification	Dentistry	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Humans	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Head and Neck Neoplasms	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Quality of Life	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Adult	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Aged	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Aged, 80 and over	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Middle Aged	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Survivors	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Rural Health	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Urban Health	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Ireland	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Female	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Male	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Self Report	en_US
dc.title	Quality of life in urban and rural settings: A study of head and neck cancer survivors	en_US
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	7	en_US
utslib.citation.volume	50	en_US
utslib.for	1117 Public Health and Health Services	en_US
utslib.for	1105 Dentistry	en_US
utslib.for	1112 Oncology and Carcinogenesis	en_US
pubs.embargo.period	Not known	en_US
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Business
utslib.copyright.status	closed_access
pubs.issue	7	en_US
pubs.publication-status	Published	en_US
pubs.volume	50	en_US

Abstract:

Objective Urban-rural variation in cancer incidence, treatment, and clinical outcomes has been well researched. With the growing numbers and longer lifespan of cancer survivors, quality of life (QOL) is now a critical issue. The present study investigates the QOL of head and neck cancer (HNC) survivors in Ireland, paying special attention to urban and rural variation. Methods From the population-based National Cancer Registry Ireland, we identified 991 survivors of HNC (ICD10 C00-C14, C32), who were at least eight months post-diagnosis, and invited them to complete a postal survey. We used self-reported data and information from the Registry to create a composite variable classifying respondents' current area of residence as "urban" or "rural." Respondents self-reported QOL using the Functional Assessment for Cancer Therapy with Head and Neck module (FACT-HN). We used bootstrap linear regression to control for confounding variables, while estimating the association of urban and rural residence to FACT-HN domain scores. Results We obtained survey and Registry data from 583 HNC survivors. Controlling for demographic and clinical variables, rural survivors reported higher physical (coefficient 1.27, bias-corrected and accelerated 95% confidence interval 0.54, 2.43), emotional (coef. 0.99, 95% CI 0.21, 2.02), and HNC-specific (coef. 1.55, 95% CI 0.32, 3.54) QOL than their urban counterparts. Social and functional QOL did not differ significantly. Conclusions These findings add to growing evidence of important differences in life experiences of cancers survivors in urban and rural settings. Results such as these will allow health professionals, policy makers and service providers to better serve these populations. © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/117228