Abstract
The primary objective of this study was to validate the Dutch version of the Quality of Life – Cancer Survivor (QOL-CS) questionnaire using a group of Dutch prostate cancer survivors. The QOL-CS was specifically designed to measure the quality of life of long-term cancer survivors. We performed a population-based, cohort study of 784 prostate cancer survivors who were diagnosed with prostate cancer between 1994 and 1998. To determine the test–retest reliability, second questionnaires were sent to 109 participants, of whom 103 (94%) returned the forms. The quality of life in Dutch long-term prostate cancer survivors was adequately measured by the physical, psychological and social well-being subscale and can be used in order to measure the specific aspects of quality of life important to cancer survivors. However, as the subscale spiritual well-being showed a low internal consistency, which could be related to cultural background, it seems to be appropriate to evaluate the validity and reliability of the QOL-CS in other cultural settings.
References
Thornton AA, Perez MA, Meyerowitz BE, (2004) Patient and partner quality of life and psychosocial adjustment following radical prostatectomy. J Clin Psychol Med Set 11(1):15–30
Padilla GV, Grant MM, Ferrell B, (1992). Nursing research into quality of life. Qual Life Res 1(5):341–348
Ferrell BR, Dow KH, Grant M, (1995) Measurement of the quality of life in cancer survivors. Qual Life Res 4(6):523–531
Ahles TA, et al. (2005) Quality of life of long-term survivors of breast cancer and lymphoma treated with standard-dose chemotherapy or local therapy. J Clin Oncol 23(19):4399–4405
Zebrack BJ, Chesler MA, (2001) A psychometric analysis of the Quality of Life-Cancer Survivors (QOL-CS) in survivors of childhood cancer. Qual Life Res 10(4):319–329
Ferrell B, et al. (2003) Psychological well being and quality of life in ovarian cancer survivors. Cancer 98(5):1061–1071
Ferrell BR, et al. (2003) A qualitative analysis of social concerns of women with ovarian cancer. Psychooncology 12(7):647–663
Ferrell BR, et al. (2003) Meaning of illness and spirituality in ovarian cancer survivors. Oncol Nurs Forum 30(2):249–257
Dow KH, et al. (1996) An evaluation of the quality of life among long-term survivors of breast cancer. Breast Cancer Res Treat 39(3):261–273
Aaronson NK, et al. (1998) Translation, validation, and norming of the Dutch language version of the SF-36 Health Survey in community and chronic disease populations. J Clin Epidemiol 51(11):1055–1068
Devins GM, et al. (1983) The emotional impact of end-stage renal disease: Importance of patients’ perception of intrusiveness and control. Int J Psychiatry Med 13(4):327–343
Flanagan JC (1978) A research approach to improving our quality of life. Am Psychol 33(2):138–147
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
van Dis, F.W., Mols, F., Vingerhoets, A.J. et al. A Validation Study of the Dutch Version of the Quality of Life – Cancer Survivor (QOL-CS) Questionnaire in a Group of Prostate Cancer Survivors. Qual Life Res 15, 1607–1612 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11136-006-0015-y
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11136-006-0015-y