WellSpan Study of Tracking Health and Resilience to Improve the Vitality of Individuals Experiencing Cancer [WellSpan-THRIVE]

Cancer is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. With more than 10 million deaths in 2020, it is imposing a significant burden on individuals, families, and healthcare systems. Cancer treatment often involves a combination of therapies, such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy, which can lead to a range of physical and psychological side effects. Side effects such as fatigue, pain, and neuropathy can greatly affect a cancer patient's quality of life, impacting their ability to function, their emotional health, and their social relationships. Research into cancer-related quality of life (QOL) has become increasingly important, as it helps us understand how cancer impacts every part of a patient's life, not just survival. Involving patients in their own care is a powerful way to boost engagement and gain deeper insight into the factors that influence quality of life during the cancer journey.

Many studies have looked at what affects quality of life (QOL) in cancer patients. Factors such as age, stage of disease, type of cancer, education, income, and treatment side effects all play a role. For example, older age, advanced cancer, and certain types like lung or pancreatic cancer can lower QOL, while treatment side effects such as fatigue, pain, and neuropathy can make it harder for patients to do daily activities and enjoy life. Research has made important progress in understanding how physical, emotional, and social issues impact well-being, but challenges remain in fully capturing all the factors that influence QOL for people living with cancer.

The goal is to bridge this gap by developing and implementing a patient-centered quality of life (QOL) survey tailored specifically for cancer patients and aims to capture a more accurate and comprehensive picture of the factors that affect their quality of life.