Predictors of sexual well-being after endometrial cancer: results of a national self-report survey

We examined whether sociodemographic, physical, reproductive, psychological and clinical factors at the time of diagnosis were related to women's sexual well-being 3-5 years following treatment for endometrial cancer

Prevalence, predictors, and correlates of supportive care needs among women 3–5 years after a diagnosis of endometrial cancer

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine the prevalence, sociodemographic and clinical predictors, and physical and psychosocial correlates of unmet needs among women 3–5\ua0years following treatment for endometrial cancer. Methods: Women with endometrial cancer completed a survey around the time of diagnosis and again 3–5 years later. The follow-up survey asked women about their physical and psychosocial functioning and supportive care needs (CaSUN). Multivariable-adjusted logistic regression identified the predictors and correlates of women’s unmet needs 3–5\ua0years after diagnosis. Results: Of the 629 women who completed the cancer survivors’ unmet needs measure (CaSUN), 24\ua0% (n = 153) women reported one or more unmet supportive care needs in the last month. Unmet needs at 3–5\ua0years post-diagnosis were predicted by younger age (OR = 4.47; 95\ua0% CI: 2.09–9.56) and advanced disease stage at diagnosis (OR = 2.47; 95\ua0% CI: 1.38–4.45) and correlated with greater cancer symptoms (OR = 1.78; 95\ua0% CI: 1.05–3.02), lower limb swelling (OR = 2.50; 95\ua0% CI: 1.51–4.15), symptoms of anxiety (OR = 2.21; 95\ua0% CI: 1.31–3.72), and less availability of social support (OR = 3.42; 95\ua0% CI: 1.92–6.11). Women with a history of comorbidities (OR = 0.47; 95\ua0% CI: 0.27–0.82) and those living in a rural area at the time of diagnosis (OR = 0.56; 95\ua0% CI: 0.34–0.92) were less likely to report unmet needs. Conclusions: Sociodemographic, health, and psychosocial factors seem important for identifying women who will or will not have unmet needs several years following endometrial cancer. Longitudinal assessments of people’s needs over the course of their cancer trajectory may be an effective way to identify areas that should receive further attention by health providers

Quality of life of women with lower limb swelling or lymphedema 3-5 years following endometrial cancer

Objective To quantitatively assess and compare the quality of life (QoL) of women with a self-reported diagnosis of lower limb lymphedema (LLL), to women with lower limb swelling (LLS), and to women without LLL or LLS following treatment for endometrial cancer. Methods 1399 participants in the Australian National Endometrial Cancer Study were sent a follow-up questionnaire 3–5 years after diagnosis. Women were asked if they had experienced swelling in the lower limbs and, if so, whether they had received a diagnosis of lymphedema by a health professional. The 639 women who responded were categorised as: Women with LLL (n = 68), women with LLS (n = 177) and women without LLL or LLS (n = 394). Multivariable-adjusted generalized linear models were used to compare women’s physical and mental QoL by LLL status. Results On average, women were 65 years of age and 4 years after diagnosis. Women with LLL had clinically lower physical QoL (M= 41.8, SE= 1.4) than women without LLL or LLS (M= 45.1, SE= 0.8, p = .07), however, their mental QoL was within the normative range (M= 49.6; SE= 1.1 p = 1.0). Women with LLS had significantly lower physical (M= 41.0, SE= 1.0, p = .003) and mental QoL (M= 46.8; SE= 0.8, p < .0001) than women without LLL or LLS (Mental QoL: M= 50.6, SE= 0.8). Conclusion Although LLL was associated with reductions in physical QoL, LLS was related to reductions in both physical and mental QoL 3-5 years after cancer treatment. Early referral to evidence-based lymphedema programs may prevent long-term impairments to women’s QoL

Incidence, risk factors and estimates of a woman's risk of developing secondary lower limb lymphedema and lymphedema-specific supportive care needs in women treated for endometrial cancer

Objectives: Few studies have assessed the risk and impact of lymphedema among women treated for endometrial cancer. We aimed to quantify cumulative incidence of, and risk factors for developing lymphedema following treatment for endometrial cancer and estimate absolute risk for individuals. Further, we report unmet needs for help with lymphedema-specific issues. Methods: Women treated for endometrial cancer (n = 1243) were followed-up 3–5 years after diagnosis; a subset of 643 completed a follow-up survey that asked about lymphedema and lymphedema-related support needs. We identified a diagnosis of secondary lymphedema from medical records or self-report. Multivariable logistic regression was used to evaluate risk factors and estimates. Results: Overall, 13% of women developed lymphedema. Risk varied markedly with the number of lymph nodes removed and, to a lesser extent, receipt of adjuvant radiation or chemotherapy treatment, and use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (pre-diagnosis). The absolute risk of developing lymphedema was > 50% for women with 15 + nodes removed and 2–3 additional risk factors, 30–41% for those with 15 + nodes removed plus 0–1 risk factors or 6–14 nodes removed plus 3 risk factors, but ≤ 8% for women with no nodes removed or 1–5 nodes but no additional risk factors. Over half (55%) of those who developed lymphedema reported unmet need(s), particularly with lymphedema-related costs and pain. Conclusion: Lymphedema is common; experienced by one in eight women following endometrial cancer. Women who have undergone lymphadenectomy have very high risks of lymphedema and should be informed how to self-monitor for symptoms. Affected women need greater levels of support