Year: 2026 | Month: May | Volume: 16 | Issue: 5 | Pages: 77-89
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijhsr.20260510
Health Related Quality of Life of Cancer Patients in Palliative Care in Surat: A Cross-Sectional Study
Shreyashkumar Ganvit1, Mohmmedirfan H. Momin2
1,2Department of Community Medicine (PSM),
Government Medical College, Veer Narmad South Gujarat University, Surat, India.
Corresponding Author: Shreyashkumar Ganvit
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Palliative care seeks to enhance the quality of life (QoL) for individuals facing life-limiting conditions such as cancer. Data on the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of these patients in India remains scarce. This study aimed to assess HRQoL and identify associated sociodemographic and clinical factors among advanced cancer patients receiving palliative care in Surat.
Methodology: This cross-sectional study conducted from March-2024 to August-2024 at the Lions Cancer Detection Centre (LCDC), Surat. This hospital-based study involved 251 adult patients with stage III or IV cancer, selected through purposive sampling. HRQoL was measured using the EORTC QLQ-C30 (version 3.0) scale. Data analysis was performed with SPSS, applied descriptive statistics and non-parametric tests, with significance level at p<0.05.
Results:The participants’ mean age was 52.2±11.1 years, with a slight female majority (52.6%). Head and neck cancers were most prevalent (45.8%). The mean Global Health Status score was 45.4±22.0, indicating moderate-to-poor overall health. Functional scales revealed significant impairments, particularly in Social (29.4±19.6) and Role Functioning (34.7±21.6). The more prevalent symptoms were Fatigue (62.0±18.5), Pain (52.2±31.7), and Appetite Loss (48.9±28.9). Poorer physical functioning was significantly associated with female gender, illiteracy, stage IV disease and treatment side effects. Social and role functioning were notably worse in stage IV patients.
Conclusion: The study concludes that advanced cancer patients experience a diminished HRQoL, highlighting an urgent need for integrated, multidisciplinary palliative care that prioritizes symptom control and tailored psychosocial support, especially for vulnerable groups like women, the less educated and those with advanced cancer disease.
Key words: Health-related quality of life, palliative care, EORTC QLQ-C30