Abstract 75: Quality of Life Scores of Women Diagnosed with Cervical Cancer in the Zululand District, Kwazulu- Natal

Abstract Purpose: The quality of life for cervical cancer patients is often severely impacted by both the physical and emotional burdens of the disease, including pain, fatigue, and psychological distress. Treatment side effects and the long-term challenges of managing cancer also contribute to diminished well-being, affecting daily activities, social relationships, and mental health. The purpose of this study was to assess the quality of life of patients diagnosed with cervical cancer in a resource-limited setting in South Africa. Methods: This study examined the quality of life (QOL) among female patients diagnosed with cervical cancer in the past year, using an electronic WHO Quality of Life (WHOQOL) assessment in the Zululand district, KwaZulu-Natal. The patient navigators used tablets to collect the data on REDCap. Results: Participants (n=35), aged between 34 and 72 years, were surveyed across four hospitals and clinics in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The majority (94.3%) were first-time participants, with 63.6% being unemployed and 72.7% reporting single marital status. Educational levels varied, with high school being the most common. The WHOQOL tool evaluated QOL across four domains: Physical, Psychological, Social Relationships, and Environment. Over half of the patients rated their overall quality of life as “neither good nor poor”. Notably, 42.9% reported experiencing severe pain that interfered with daily activities, and an equal percentage expressed a high dependency on medical treatments to function effectively. Additionally, 34.3% of participants were dissatisfied with their health, while 20% reported some level of satisfaction. Domain-specific scores indicated substantial challenges in the Physical and Psychological domains, with lower scores reflecting issues such as limited energy, pain, and emotional difficulties. However, scores in the Social Relationships and Environmental domains were relatively higher, suggesting a satisfactory level of support from family and friends and moderate satisfaction with their living conditions. Conclusion: This analysis underscores the significant physical and psychological burdens faced by cervical cancer patients, calling attention to the importance of integrated health services that address pain management, mental health, and social support. The treatment of cervical cancer patients should also focus on improving the Quality of Life in this group of patients by targeting holistic care approaches. Citation Format: Siyabonga B. Dlamini, Nocawe Ndukula, Nkosana Jafta, Themba G. Ginindza. Quality of Life Scores of Women Diagnosed with Cervical Cancer in the Zululand District, Kwazulu- Natal [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 13th Annual Symposium on Global Cancer Research; 2025 Sep 16. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2025;34(12_Suppl):Abstract nr 75.