The journal of supportive oncology
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Review Meta Analysis
Measuring quality of life in patients with melanoma: development of the FACT-melanoma subscale.
A systematic review of the literature on quality of life (QOL) in melanoma patients suggested an overwhelming need for a disease-specific subscale. A melanoma subscale for the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy (FACT-Melanoma) was developed to meet this need. This instrument was developed in three stages. ⋯ After final revisions were made, the FACT-Melanoma tool included 24 items encompassing three QOL domains: 20 items relate to physical well-being, 3 to emotional well-being,and 1 to social well-being. The face and content validity of the FACT-Melanoma assessment tool has been confirmed in melanoma patients and by professionals. Formal validation and reliability testing of the questionnaire is being determined in a prospective cohort of melanoma patients.