Health and Socio-Economic Status Factors Impacting Care and Treatment in Ovarian Cancer Patients

Aim: To provide knowledge about health status, socio-economic status and use of public health care in women undergoing ovarian cancer surgery, in order to improve their care during the perioperative period. Method: An epidemiological methodology was applied. The material consisted of data from the Registry of Health and Social Conditions and the Danish Gynaecological Cancer Database on women diagnosed in 2007; this material underwent descriptive statistical analysis. Results: Data from 666 women were suitable for analysis. The majority were older, with moderate to severe systemic illness and a tendency to be overweight. Many had a low educational level, were retired, and lived alone with few financial resources. The quality of the surgical treatment had improved in terms of centralisation and staging procedures. Conclusions: As a group the women proved to be in a vulnerable position in terms of living conditions and general health. Some of these factors might be compensated via health promotion and supportive preoperative care, others by appropriate organisation of treatment. Substantial advantages might therefore be within reach by introducing nurse-led, supportive preoperative care during the wait for surgery.