For cancer patients, information about their own prognosis is extremely important information that influences treatment policies and various decision-making.So far, among prognostic information, whether cancer patients want to know "how long they can live (life prognosis)" has been investigated worldwide.However, no survey has been conducted on whether cancer patients want to know the prognosis of physical function (functional prognosis) such as "until when can they walk" and "until when can they eat".

 In February 2022, a group from the University of Tsukuba conducted the world's first survey of cancer patients' intentions and related factors regarding knowing their functional prognosis.The subjects were cancer patients in Japan, and an anonymous Internet survey format was used, and responses were obtained from 2 cancer patients.

 As a result of the survey, 26.6% of cancer patients wanted to know their life prognosis, whereas cancer patients who wanted to know their functional prognosis asked, "How long can I talk properly (conversation prognosis)?" 46.9%, 43.1% answered "How long can you eat deliciously?"

 In addition, as a factor related to prognostic information that cancer patients want to know, they tend to want to know life prognosis, exercise prognosis, and conversation prognosis if they have experienced the death of a close person to cancer. It turned out to be

 From the above, cancer patients want to know the functional prognosis rather than the vital prognosis in order to think about how long they can continue their daily lives and work. , indicating the possibility of wanting to know more prognostic information.

 In the future, it will be necessary to consider not only the life prognosis of cancer patients but also the method of predicting the functional prognosis, and to consider how to convey information according to the degree that the patient wants to know.

reference:[University of Tsukuba] What cancer patients want to know is "How long can I move?" rather than the remaining time-Conducting a survey on prognostic information-(PDF)

University of Tsukuba

Continue to challenge interdisciplinary fusion and internationalization, and develop human resources with intelligence and humanity

University of Tsukuba is the core of Tsukuba Science City, an international city with a high academic and cultural scent.The current education system is 9 groups, 23 classes, and it is possible to take specialized introductory courses from all fields, aiming to have creative intelligence and rich humanity.Solving global issues with soul genius […]

University Journal Online Editorial Department

This is the online editorial department of the university journal.
Articles are written by editorial staff who have a high level of knowledge and interest in universities and education.