Validation of the Spanish version of the Cancer Symptom Scale in Hispanic cancer patients

Abstract

Aim: To assess the validity of the translated Spanish Cancer Symptom Scale.

Background: Instruments to facilitate comprehensive and objective assessments of the cancer symptom experience in underrepresented populations are essential.

Methods: The Cancer Symptom Scale was translated into Spanish, and a back translation was conducted. During June 2016, a sample of 121 Hispanic Puerto Rican patients with any cancer diagnosis, all undergoing cancer treatments, completed four paper surveys. A subgroup of 15 patients agreed to complete the Spanish Cancer Symptom Scale a second time after a short delay of 1 to 2 hours. Construct validity and reliability (internal consistency via Cronbach alpha and test-retest reliability) was evaluated.

Results: All the Intensity Items of the Spanish Cancer Symptom Scale correlated significantly with the matched items on the MD Anderson Symptom Inventory. In a subgroup of 77 participants, each Cancer Symptom Scale subscale total of scores correlated significantly with the total scores from the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General. Discriminant validity was demonstrated between those receiving chemotherapy and those from post treatment. The Spanish Cancer Symptom Scale internal consistency reliability was 0.98.

Conclusion: The Spanish Cancer Symptom Scale has excellent evidence of validity and reliability for assessing cancer-therapy-related symptoms.

Keywords: Cancer Symptom Scale; Hispanic Puerto Ricans; cancer therapy-related symptoms; validation.