Quality of Life and Symptom Management in Patients With Bladder Cancer

OBJECTIVES: Primary * To identify aspects of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and symptom management in patients with non-invasive, low- or high-risk bladder cancer. * To obtain feedback on data collection methods to enhance acceptability in these patients. OUTLINE: Patients undergo a 10-minute screening in person or by phone to obtain demographic data and medical information (e.g., bladder cancer diagnosis and treatment history). Additional information is obtained from the clinical databases at the Baylor College of Medicine and the Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Patients who are eligible for the study are added to a waiting list for 1 of 4 focus groups based on disease status (high-risk or low-risk non-invasive bladder cancer) and gender. Patients participate in a 1.5- to 2-hour focus group discussion about the impact of bladder cancer on their quality of life and relationships. Patients receive information about community and Internet-based resources at the end of each group session.