Quality of life: a new perspective for cancer patients

Quality of life (QoL) research provides patients and health-care providers with vital information about the impact that disease and its treatment has on physical, functional, social and emotional well-being. QoL outcomes are also being recognized as important prognostic variables, which help to predict which patients are most likely to benefit from treatment. Nevertheless, many remain unreasonably sceptical about the scientific rigour and value of the assessment tools that are available. So how can QoL be measured, and how can this be used for the benefit of patients?