Development and testing of a quality of life model for long-term female cancer survivors

This research resulted in the evolution of a model depicting the quality of life of long-term female cancer survivors. The foundation for this model's development was Ferrell's (1993) breast cancer model, which incorporates physical, social, psychological and spiritual domains of life. The Ferrell model was adapted following focus-group discussions with 11 long-term female cancer survivors. The adjusted model included new categories, within each of Ferrell's initial domains, that were specific to the focus group participants. Administration of a new instrument, the Long-Term Quality of Life (LTQL), to 187 long-term female cancer survivors produced a final model that included the interaction of all four domains in six major concepts of quality of life. This new model, which reflects the complexity of life in long-term female cancer survivors, may be useful to health professionals in designing interventions to meet the unique needs of these women.