Long-Term Physical Well-Being Among Cancer Survivors: A Retrospective Study in District Bareilly

Abstract

Introduction: Cancer survivorship is increasingly recognized
as a critical phase of the cancer care continuum. Although
advancements in diagnosis and treatment have improved
survival rates, many survivors experience persistent physical
symptoms such as fatigue, pain, appetite changes, and sleep
disturbances. These long-term effects significantly impact
quality of life (QoL), especially in low-resource settings where
follow-up care is limited.
Objective: To assess the long-term physical well-being of
cancer survivors five years post-treatment and examine its
association with socio-demographic factors in District Bareilly,
Uttar Pradesh.
Material and Methods: A retrospective cohort study was
conducted among cancer survivors who completed treatment
in 2018 at a tertiary care hospital. Of 144 identified individuals,
90 survivors participated. Physical well-being was assessed
using a pretested interview schedule adapted from the quality
of life-cancer survivor version (QoL-CSV), focusing only on
the physical domain. Data were analyzed using SPSS version
25 with descriptive statistics and non-parametric tests (Mann-
Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis).
Result: The mean total physical well-being score was 26.8 ±
10.7 out of 80. Fatigue and appetite changes were the most
prevalent symptoms. Socioeconomic status was significantly
associated with physical well-being scores (p < 0.05),
with higher scores among the upper class. No significant
associations were found with age, gender, or occupation.
Conclusion: Five years post-treatment, cancer survivors
face notable physical challenges. Socioeconomic disparities
influence physical recovery, underscoring the need for targeted
survivorship interventions in resource-limited settings.