The study investigates factors affecting health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in colorectal cancer survivors, revealing that low socio-economic status and lack of social support are significant predictors of low HRQOL. A cross-sectional survey of 495 participants found mean HRQOL scores of 69.8, with education and family circumstances influencing outcomes even after adjusting for clinical variables. These insights indicate specific subgroups of survivors who may require enhanced support and care.

1. Markers of low socio-economic status
and lack of social support are associated
with low health-related quality-of-life in
colorectal cancer survivors
Linda Sharp, Alan O’Ceilleachair, Eamonn O’Leary,
Mairead Skally, Paul Hanly
email: a.oceilleachair@ucc.ie

2. Introduction & Methods
Background:
Increasing focus on maximising quality, as well as quantity, of life
after cancer diagnosis.
HRQoL as a potential prognostic factor in some cancers
Aim:
To investigate factors associated with HRQoL among colorectal
cancer (CRC) survivors.
Methods:
Cross-sectional postal survey of CRC survivors (ICD10 C18-20)
6-30 months post-Dx
EORTC QLQ30
Socio-demographic and clinical variables
multivariate logistic regression; predicting low HRQoL (≤50 ,
bottom quartile)

3. Characteristics of participants
% of 495 respondents
Sex Cancer site
male 63% colon 61%
female 37% rectum 39%
Age at diagnosis Time since diagnosis
<65 40% <1 year 37%
65-74 34% 1-2 years 47%
75+ 26% 2+ years 16%
Employment status at diagnosis Stage at diagnosis
working 40% I/II 47%
retired 42% III/IV 42%
other 18% unstaged 11%
Marital status Treatment received
married/cohabiting 76% surgery 86%
other 24% chemotherapy 28%
radiotherapy 16%
response rate=40%

4. HRQoL
1%
0.2%
1% 1%
4% 4%
15%
6%
21%
8%
20%
3%
17%
0.0%
5.0%
10.0%
15.0%
20.0%
25.0%
Frequency
HRQoL: global health score
lowest
HRQoL
highest
HRQoL
mean=69.8 (sd=21.6)
median=66.7 (inter-quartile range 50.0-83.3)
“low”
HRQoL

5. Results/Conclusions
• Education and family
circumstances predict low
HRQoL in CRC survivors, after
adjusting for clinical variables.
• Education- socio-economic
status Children – social
support.
• These findings highlight
subgroups of survivors who
might benefit from additional
support, advice or care.

6. Results/Conclusions
• Education and family
circumstances predict low
HRQoL in CRC survivors, after
adjusting for clinical variables.
• Education- socio-economic
status Children – social
support.
• These findings highlight
subgroups of survivors who
might benefit from additional
support, advice or care.