A comprehensive and coordinated family support increasing the quality of life for cervical cancer patient after chemotherapy: a cohort study

Backgroundː Cervical cancer causes physical and psychological symptoms that can reduce the quality of life. Chemotherapy as a treatment modality for cervical cancer can cause side effects. However, there is an improvement in symptoms associated with successful treatment, which can also affect the quality of life. This study aims to determine the relationship between social support and the quality of life of people with cervical cancer before and after chemotherapy. Methodsː Prospective observational study with a cohort design in cervical cancer patients above stage IIB before receiving chemotherapy and after chemotherapy. Quality of life data was collected using the Indonesian version of the WHO-QLQ-Cx24, and the validated Family Support questionnaire was filled out. Data were analyzed using the Wilcoxon test. Resultsː Collected 120 cervical cancer patients above stage IIB, most of whom were less than 50 years old, had more than 9 years of education, did not work, were multiparous, had a normal BMI, and had their first sexual contact more than 5 years. Family support was significantly increased before and after chemotherapy (p < 0.05). There was a significant improvement in patient quality of life-based on the EORTC QLQ-Cx24 score before and after chemotherapy (p < 0.05). Conclusionsː Good social support improves the quality of life for cervical cancer patients after chemotherapy. The social support feature that is significantly related to increasing the quality of life of cervical cancer patients after chemotherapy is overall support, which means comprehensive and coordinated social support.