Belitung Nursing Journal
Vol. 12 No. 5 (2026): September - October

Factors associated with health-related quality of life in older cancer survivors: A secondary analysis of data from the 8th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2019–2021)

Yoonhee Seok (College of Nursing, Kyungil University, 50, Gamasil-gil, Hayang-eup, Gyeongsan-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do, Republic of Korea)



Article Info

Publish Date
21 Oct 2026

Abstract

Background: The health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of older cancer survivors is emerging as an important public health issue as the older adult population continues to grow. Objective: This study aimed to identify factors affecting HRQoL among older cancer survivors and to examine age-related differences. Methods: This study used secondary data from the 8th Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2019 and 2021). The inclusion criteria were cancer survivors aged 65 years and older. A total of 158 older cancer survivors were identified from 15,200 respondents. Participants were classified into two groups: 89 young-old and 69 old-old individuals. Linear regression analyses were conducted using sampling weights and a complex survey design to identify factors associated with HRQoL. Results: Factors affecting HRQoL differed between the two age groups. Among young-old cancer survivors, activity limitations (B = -0.09, p = 0.027), depression (B = -0.16, p < 0.001), self-rated health (B = 0.07, p = 0.019), and stress (B = -0.11, p < 0.001) were significant influencing factors. In the old-old group, significant factors included activity limitations (B = -0.07, p = 0.002), alcohol consumption (B = 0.11, p < 0.001), pronunciation problems (B = -0.08, p = 0.011), sex (B = 0.08, p = 0.003), and stress (B = -0.06, p = 0.001). Activity limitations and stress were common factors associated with reduced HRQoL in both age groups. Conclusion: HRQoL among older cancer survivors was associated with age. Age-specific nursing interventions are needed to improve HRQoL in older cancer survivors by addressing activity limitations and stress, with additional focus on psychological and oral health needs.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

bnj

Publisher

Subject

Nursing

Description

BNJ contributes to the advancement of evidence-based nursing, midwifery and healthcare by disseminating high quality research and scholarship of contemporary relevance and with potential to advance knowledge for practice, education, management or policy. BNJ welcomes submissions of evidence-based ...