Fatalism and stigma amongst cancer patients in south western Punjab

Abstract

The ideology and beliefs have a profound impact upon once lifestyle. Economic status, level of knowledge and awareness, beliefs and notions, social support system available, constitutes important determinants impacting to copeup strategies for cancer victims. The present study was conducted to assess the fatalism and stigma amongst cancer patients in south western Punjab. Two districts i.e. Bathinda and Sri Muktsar Sahib were randomly selected. Majority (87.5%) of the respondents believe that in cancer patients attributed cancer has caused due to their karmas. Forty six per cent of the respondents believed that cancer is contagious. One third (34.3%) of the respondents and their family members used the term ‘cancer’ as they believed that taking the name of disease had nothing to do with its curability versus non-curability or to describe the dreaded disease from which they were suffering. One third of the male respondents perceived imbalanced diet and sedentary lifestyle behind as a reasoning causing cancer and half of the male respondents and significantly majority of the female respondents (93.3%) perceived substance abuse as a reason behind causing cancer in the region. The study suggests that NGOs, religious bodies and philanthropists can contribute significantly towards treatment, management and rehabilitation of cancer victims. The use of recommended doses of pesticides/ insecticides and fertilizers and unprecedented use of chemicals should be monitored through government agencies and guilty should be punished.