QUALITY OF LIFE ANALYSIS AND REPORTED SYMPTOMS BY INDIVIDUALS UNDERGOING ONCOLOGICAL TREATMENT

• Grant number: 24/11991-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: February 01, 2025
• End date: December 31, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy
• Principal Investigator: Ercy Mara Cipulo Ramos
• Grantee: Fabrício Akira Essú Silva
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia (FCT). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Presidente Prudente. Presidente Prudente , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Introduction: The incidence of new cancer cases globally could reach 30 million in the coming decades, in which the usual oncological treatment - UOT (chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery) may be associated with a decrease in quality of life (QoL) and the emergence of comorbidities due to its adverse effects. Aim: to evaluate the quality of life and symptoms of individuals undergoing cancer treatment. Methods: Individuals who began treatment at the oncology hospital in western São Paulo will take part in the research. Participants will undergo assessments at two stages: pre- UOT (M1) and after the end of the UOT (M2). In M1, patients will be evaluated up to one week before the start of UOT and in M2 and up to one month after UOT. In M1 and M2, QoL will be assessed using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Core Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-30) and symptoms will be assessed using the Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale- Br (ESAS-Br) to analyze possible changes occurring in individuals undergoing treatment. Statistical analysis: For statistical analysis, the SPSS 29.0 program (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA) will be used. Descriptive statistics will be used to characterize the sample. Continuous variables will be described as mean ± standard deviation or median [interquartile range], depending on the distribution of the data.