Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy - General

Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy - General (FACT-G) is a self-reported questionnaire designed to measure the quality of life in patients undergoing treatment for cancer. It is part of a larger system of questionnaires known as the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy (FACIT) measurement system, which assesses well-being in patients with chronic illnesses. The FACT-G focuses specifically on the general aspects of health-related quality of life, without addressing disease-specific symptoms.

Development and Structure

The FACT-G was developed in the early 1990s by David Cella and his colleagues to address the need for a comprehensive, multidimensional, reliable, and valid measure of health-related quality of life in cancer patients. The questionnaire consists of 27 items, divided into four primary domains:

• Physical Well-being (PWB): This domain assesses the physical aspects of the patient's quality of life, including symptoms related to physical health and the impact of treatment.
• Social/Family Well-being (SWB): This domain evaluates the patient's relationships with family and friends, including support received and communication issues.
• Emotional Well-being (EWB): This domain measures the emotional responses of the patient to their illness and treatment, including feelings of anxiety, depression, and happiness.
• Functional Well-being (FWB): This domain assesses the patient's ability to perform daily activities, work, and enjoy leisure activities.

Patients respond to each item on a 5-point Likert scale, ranging from 0 (not at all) to 4 (very much), indicating how true each statement has been for them during the past 7 days. The scores from the four domains are summed to create a total score, which can range from 0 to 108, with higher scores indicating better quality of life.

Usage

The FACT-G is widely used in clinical trials, research studies, and clinical practice to assess the impact of cancer and its treatment on patients' overall quality of life. It serves as a valuable tool for clinicians to understand the subjective experience of their patients, facilitating more personalized and effective care. Additionally, the FACT-G is used in the development of new treatments and interventions, helping to ensure that they not only extend life but also improve the quality of life.

Validation and Reliability

The FACT-G has been extensively validated and is considered a reliable measure of quality of life in cancer patients. It has been translated into over 50 languages and culturally adapted for use in many countries, ensuring its applicability and relevance across diverse patient populations. The questionnaire's validity and reliability have been confirmed through numerous studies, demonstrating its sensitivity to changes in patients' health status and its ability to discriminate between different levels of well-being.

Modifications and Versions

To address the specific needs of different cancer types and treatment modalities, several disease-specific modules have been developed to be used in conjunction with the FACT-G. These modules assess symptoms and concerns that are relevant to particular types of cancer, such as breast, lung, and prostate cancer, among others. The combination of the FACT-G with a disease-specific module allows for a comprehensive assessment of a patient's quality of life, taking into account both general and disease-specific aspects.

Conclusion

The Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy - General (FACT-G) is a crucial tool in the field of oncology, enabling the assessment of health-related quality of life in cancer patients. Its comprehensive, reliable, and valid measurement of well-being supports better patient care, research, and treatment development, making it an indispensable resource for clinicians, researchers, and patients alike.