Oncology

Comprehensive Summary

This article created and tested multiple predictive models for cancer survivors’ future quality of life (QoL) and overall health status, measured by physical, mental, social, and spiritual health. The authors found that basic demographic information including social and clinical factors were highly predictive of the QoL of the cancer survivors (AUPRC =0.80). Most influentially, they found that self-management strategies (SAT) scores were even more predictive of the QoL of the cancer survivors (AUPRC= 0.96). Results showed that a simple model linking the SAT factors to QoL can be employed to accurately address the QoL of cancer survivors in clinical settings. Specifically, the activity coping strategy of the SAT-Implementation (SAT-I), a strategy used to implement necessary health and treatment behaviors, was the most important predictive factor in the QoL of cancer survivors, indicating that SAT-Is may influence health behaviors that can influence QoL. In linking overall health status to QoL, the cancer survivors' mental (AUROC=0.71), social (AUROC=0.77), and spiritual health (AUROC=0.75) statuses demonstrated good predictive results, though compared to the SAT predictive model, this health status model predicted a lower QoL than in actuality of the cancer survivors. That being said, the complex and subjective nature of QoL indicates that creating a customized SAT plan given a patient’s needs and circumstances may lead to the best QoL outcome. The XGBoost model finalized in the study demonstrated a strong predictive ability (AUC=0.80, Brier Score=0.07). Using SHAP, a new XAI technology, the study was also able to provide participants with individualized healthcare services following their questionnaire responses.

Outcomes and Implications

This study presents a more accurate, predictive model that allows for an improved understanding of the factors that influence the QoL of cancer survivors. The XGBoost model demonstrated a more robust ability compared to the previous version even with the study’s small sample size. Using this model, healthcare professionals can better guide cancer survivors in the variables most associated with improving their QoL. On top of this, SHAP was used to provide customized healthcare to each participant, indicating that XAI can be used to tailor medical advice given demographic and health status information. Though the interpretation of statistical significance is currently limited in SHAP values, this can eventually be used in clinical settings to further enhance the QoL outcomes of cancer survivors by maximizing the approach a patient should take, creating an individualized strategy that prioritizes the chance for a positive outcome.

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AIIM Research

Articles

© 2025 AIIM. Created by AIIM IT Team

AIIM Research

Articles

© 2025 AIIM. Created by AIIM IT Team

AIIM Research

Articles

© 2025 AIIM. Created by AIIM IT Team