# Quality of Life and the Role of Gender in Patients With Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer in Greece

## TL;DR

This study finds that women with non-melanoma skin cancer in Greece experience a greater impact on their quality of life compared to men.

## Contribution

The study highlights gender differences in quality of life outcomes for non-melanoma skin cancer patients in Greece.

## Key findings

- Female patients reported more significant impacts on psychological and physical aspects of quality of life.
- Tumor size and treatment outcomes were identified as contributing factors to quality of life changes.
- Aesthetic concerns and daily activity disruptions were more pronounced in female patients.

## Abstract

Background

Improving quality of life (QoL), is an important factor for patients diagnosed with non-melanoma cell cancer (NMSC). NMSC is the most common and widespread cancer in the European population.

Methods

To measure QoL, several tools have been created, which try to capture and evaluate it both before and after treatment. The factors that contribute to the evaluation and the degree of impact on the patients' QoL are numerous and sometimes overlap or interact with each other. In the present study, the questionnaire used was the General Health Questionnaire-28 (GHQ-28).

Aims and objectives

The aim of this study is to map and highlight the population groups whose QoL is affected to a greater extent than others. The final sample of the population consisted of 103 patients (63 men and 40 women) with proven NMSC (via biopsy), who presented to the Dermatology Clinic of the University General Hospital of Patras during the period 2022-2023.

Results

Of the final study sample, 72 (69.9%) patients had one tumor, 23 (22.3%) patients had two tumors, 6 (5.8%) patients had three tumors, and 2 (1.9%) patients had more than three tumors. In 74.8%, the diameter of the tumor was less than 2 cm, while in 25.2%, it was greater than or equal to 2 cm.

Conclusion

Our results showed that, in general, the QoL of the female population, in all its aspects (psychology, bodily functions, appearance, etc.), is more affected compared to the corresponding male population, in cases diagnosed with NMSC. The effect may be due to multifaceted factors, such as the outcome of the treatment, the size of the tumor itself, aesthetic interventions, and the change in the patient's daily activities.