Description

The Quality of Life in Adult Cancer Survivors (QOL-ACS) is an assessment instrument designed to measure quality of life among adults who have survived cancer. It examines different aspects of life that may be affected by the experience of cancer and its treatment.

The instrument provides a multidimensional perspective on survivorship by considering the broader effects of the disease and treatment on an individual’s well-being and everyday functioning.

Objective

The primary objective of the QOL-ACS is to assess quality of life among adult cancer survivors, taking into account the specific challenges and needs that may arise from the experience of cancer and its treatment.

By examining different areas of well-being, the instrument can help identify aspects of survivors’ lives that may remain affected following cancer treatment and provide a broader understanding of their quality of life.

Dimensions

According to the available source, the QOL-ACS addresses four major dimensions of well-being:

Physical Well-Being: Examines the physical aspects of well-being and the impact of cancer and its treatment on the individual’s physical condition.

Psychological Well-Being: Assesses psychological and emotional aspects of the cancer survivorship experience.

Social Well-Being: Examines the social dimension of quality of life, including the individual’s broader social experience following cancer.

Functional Well-Being: Assesses aspects of everyday functioning and the individual’s ability to manage activities and demands of daily life.

Together, these dimensions provide a multidimensional assessment of quality of life among adult cancer survivors.

Scoring

According to the source document, the QOL-ACS consists of a series of statements rated using a 5-point Likert scale ranging from 1 (not at all) to 5 (very much).

The statements cover the four principal dimensions of physical, psychological, social, and functional well-being.

The available source does not provide more detailed information regarding the calculation of subscale or total scores, reverse-scored items, cut-off values, or interpretation thresholds. Therefore, scoring should follow the instructions associated with the specific version of the instrument being administered.

Data Analysis and Use

QOL-ACS data can be used to examine different dimensions of quality of life among adult cancer survivors.

Depending on the objectives of a study, researchers may analyze the individual dimensions of physical, psychological, social, and functional well-being and examine differences or relationships between these dimensions.

The instrument can also provide information regarding areas of survivors’ lives that may be particularly affected by the experience of cancer and its treatment.

Applications

The QOL-ACS may be used in clinical and research contexts concerned with cancer survivorship and quality of life.

Its multidimensional approach allows the assessment of physical, psychological, social, and functional aspects of well-being rather than focusing exclusively on the clinical consequences of cancer.

The information obtained through the instrument may contribute to a broader understanding of the experiences and needs of adult cancer survivors and support research examining quality of life following cancer and its treatment.

References

Ferrell BR, Dow KH, Grant M. Measurement of the quality of life in cancer survivors. Quality of Life Research. 1995;4(6):523-531.

Cella DF, Tulsky DS. Quality of life in cancer: Definition, purpose, and method of measurement. Cancer Investigation. 1993;11(3):327-336.

Ganz PA, Desmond KA, Leedham B, Rowland JH, Meyerowitz BE, Belin TR. Quality of life in long-term, disease-free survivors of breast cancer: A follow-up study. Journal of the National Cancer Institute. 2002;94(1):39-49.