Functional status in women with lung cancer.

Lung cancer remains the number one cause of cancer-related death and the third most common cancer for women in the United States. The major purpose of this study was to describe physical functional status in a sample of women with lung cancer. Functional status was objectively measured by the Karnofsky Performance Status Scale, and subjectively by the Rand Physical Function Scale, and the Physical Function Subscale of the CARES-Short Form. A convenience sample of 69 women participated in a one-time data collection. The typical subject was < 65 years of age, had lived with primary or recurrent lung cancer for > 12 months, had non-small cell limited disease, and was not currently receiving treatment. The most prevalent disruptions in physical function were reduced energy (59%), difficulty with household chores (33%), and interference with work (28%). A third of the sample had serious limitations in three or more activities. Approximately 26% of the sample had severe limitations in moderate activities, 20% in walking short distances, and 16% in walking one flight of stairs. Only a quarter were satisfied with their level of activity. Physical function was different by income category (one-way analysis of variance), with those with the lowest income having the poorest function.