Inferior health-related quality of life and psychological well-being in immigrant cancer survivors: A population-based study

Phyllis N. Butow, Lynley Aldridge, Melanie L. Bell, Ming Sze, Maurice Eisenbruch, Michael Jefford, Penelope Schofield, Afaf Girgis, Madeleine King, Priya Duggal-Beri, Joshua McGrane, David Goldstein

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

58 Scopus citations

Abstract

This study compared health-related quality of life (QOL) and psychological morbidity in a population-based sample of first generation immigrant and Anglo-Australian cancer survivors. Eligible participants, recruited via three State Cancer Registries, included those: with a new diagnosis of one of 12 most incident cancers (all stages) 1-6 years earlier; aged 18-80 at diagnosis; born in a Chinese, Arabic, or Greek speaking country and able to speak one of these languages. A random sample of English-speaking Anglo-Australian-born controls frequency matched for cancer diagnosis was recruited. 596 patients (277 of whom were immigrants) participated (a 26% response rate). In multiple linear regression models adjusted for age, sex, education, marital status, socio-economic status, time since diagnosis and type of cancer, immigrants had clinically significantly worse QOL (5.4-8.5 points on Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General (FACT-G), P < 0·0001), higher depression (P < 0·0001) and higher incidence of clinical depression (P < 0·01) than Anglo-Australians. Understanding the health system partially mediated this relationship for depression (P = 0·0004) and QOL (P = 0·001). Immigrant survivors of cancer have worse psychological and QOL outcomes than Anglo-Australians. Potential targets for intervention include assistance in navigating the health system, translated information and cultural competency training for health professionals.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1948-1956
Number of pages9
JournalEuropean Journal of Cancer
Volume49
Issue number8
DOIs
StatePublished - May 2013
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Anxiety
  • CALD
  • Cancer
  • Cultural competence
  • Depression
  • Health disparities
  • Immigrants
  • Multi-culturalism
  • NESB
  • Oncology survivorship
  • Quality of life

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Oncology
  • Cancer Research

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