Mental Health of Cancer Patients and their Awareness Regarding Cancer: Exploratory Study in Southern Karnataka

Abstract

Cancers are among the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide, with approximately 14 million new cases and 8.2 million cancer-related deaths. Comprehensive patient-centred care in oncology has been prioritized in international guidelines and standards, which includes prevention and early detection, evidence-based medical treatment, rehabilitation and palliative care as a collective approach for reducing morbidity and mortality of cancer. Improving the quality of care requires recognising and addressing patients’ psychological distress, mental disorders and supportive care needs during the treatment of cancer. Knowledge regarding cancer i.e. its warning signs, early detection, management of patients with cancer etc., helps in improving the outcome of cancer patients. This one-year cross-sectional study from 1st February 2022 to 31st January 2023 analyzed the mental health of cancer patients and their awareness regarding cancer among patients who report to the Cancer Centre, in a tertiary care hospital in southern Karnataka. The patients were interviewed using a pre-formed, pre-tested, semi-structured questionnaire. Analysis was done using descriptive statistics like percentages, mean, standard deviation, etc., and analytical statistics like chi-square test, student t-test, etc. The awareness regarding various aspects of cancer symptoms, diagnosis, treatment options, etc., was poor. Most of the patients are diagnosed with anxiety and depression requiring further counseling and treatment.