The Other Side of Recovery: Exploring Quality of Life in Cervical Cancer Patients in Central India

Aims and background: Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among women in India, accounting for one-sixth to one-half of all female malignancies.Beyond its physical burden, cervical cancer significantly impacts emotional well-being, thereby affecting the overall quality of life (QoL).This study aimed to assess the QoL of cervical cancer patients in Central India.Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 60 cervical cancer patients attending a tertiary healthcare center between April 2024 and January 2025.Eligible participants were aged 18 years or older, histopathologically diagnosed with cervical cancer, and able to communicate in the local language.The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) QLQ-C30 Version 3.0 questionnaire was used to assess health-related quality of life (HRQoL), following the recommended scoring algorithm.Results: The majority of participants were below 49 years of age (30%).Squamous cell carcinoma was the most prevalent histological type (97%), with adenocarcinoma and undifferentiated carcinoma being less common (1.67% and 1.67%, respectively).A progressive decline in functional and global health scores was observed with advancing cancer stages, with stage IV patients reporting the poorest QoL.Conclusion: Cervical cancer significantly impairs HRQoL, particularly in emotional, social, and global health domains.Patients with advancedstage disease and older age exhibited lower QoL scores.These findings underscore the need for integrated psychosocial support and stagespecific interventions to enhance survivorship outcomes.Clinical significance: Cervical cancer significantly impairs QoL, especially in advanced stages.Routine QoL assessment can help address key patient needs.Stage-specific support improves care beyond clinical treatment.These findings support more holistic, patient-centered oncology practices.