Quality of life and cancer: a systematic literature review

Abstract

The present study examined the published papers in Brazil about psychological aspects related to quality of life and cancer between 1998 - 2008. The papers collected were analyzed within ten categories: 1)Info basis; 2) Production type; 3) Method; 4) Author’s profession; 5) Participant’s gender; 6) Participants´ type of cancer; 7) Topics researched; 8) Regions of Brazil where the research was carried out; 9) Journal’s name; 10) Year of the publication. Results: most of the studies were indexed on SciELO, were empirical and employed quantitative method. Physicians published more about quality of life issue. Target population was female gender, and type of cancer most studied was female cancers. The impact of the disease and treatment on quality of life was the topic more studied. Most of the researches were carried out in the Southeast region in the years 2006-2007, and there was diversity in the journals.