Quality of Life Survey
NHS England and NHS Digital are leading the way in cancer care by recognising that quality of life (QoL) outcomes are as important to patients as survival. A nationwide QoL survey was launched in September 2020 that initially surveyed people who have been diagnosed with breast, prostate or colorectal cancer. From July 2021 people with all other cancer types have been included. People will be a sent a survey 18 months after their diagnosis to assess their QoL. The information collected from the survey will be used to work out how best to support the growing number of people living with and beyond cancer. This is an ambitious programme with a scale and depth that isn’t being matched anywhere else in the world.
Ipswich was a pilot site for this project, so you may have already taken part. If you are contacted again by the National team, they would appreciate you taking part in the wider study.
There is now an NHS England QOL website where more information can be found
If you have any healthcare concerns, please contact your clinical team directly.
Quality of Life Survey: For patients | Quality of Life Survey: For professionals
Quality of Life Survey: For patients
Quality of Life Survey: Patient Information Leaflet
Quality of life outcomes are important to patients living with and beyond cancer. Measuring people’s quality of life increases our understanding of the impact of cancer and its treatment, and how well people are living after treatment. The Cancer Quality of Life Survey aims to measure quality of life at scale for all cancer patients. The NHS is committed to raising the profile of quality of life so that it has parity with survival for cancer patients.
Patients will receive a survey invitation through the post 18 months after their diagnosis. You will initially be encouraged to complete the survey online. A paper-based option is also available. The survey takes between five and 10 minutes to complete. You will be asked to complete two widely-used quality-of-life questionnaires: one generic to all patients and a second which is specific to your type of cancer.
Quality of Life Survey: Frequently-asked questions (link to Microsoft Word document)
Quality of Life Survey: For professionals
Quality of Life Survey: Frequently-asked-questions