Comparison of Distress and Body Image according to the Stages of Cancer Survivorship in Gynecological Cancer Patients

Purpose: This study was to compare distress and body image according to the stages of cancer survivorship in patients with gynecological cancer. Methods: The subjects were 231 patients who visited for treatment or follow-up care at a university medical center in a city, Korea. These participants were divided into three groups based on the stages of cancer survivorship. The data were collected from November, 18, 2010 to January, 28, 2011 with the use of a structured questionnaire which measured the distress thermometer (DT) and problem list (PL), and body image. Results: Distress scores were not significantly different among three stages of cancer survivorship, but the patients of acute cancer survival experienced the distress of 4.50 point of moderate level (DT>4). The problem list of distress score was significantly higher in the acute cancer survival than long-term cancer survival (F=3.04, p=.048). The score of body image was significantly lower in the acute cancer survival stage than long-term cancer survival (F=3.69, p=.026). Conclusion Gynecological cancer patients in the acute cancer survival among the three stages will to need to provide a nursing intervention to decrease distress and improve body image.