A Survey on Mental Health Status and Related Factors among Cancer Patients in Iran

Abstract

Background: Cancer is one of the most common non-communicable diseases and the second cause of death in Iran. The progress in medical technologies and treatment plans has caused the patients to live longer; however, these patients are confronted with psychological challenges and their mental health is influenced because of different reasons. This study is carried out to investigate the mental health status of the cancer patients in the Center for Specific Diseases. Methods: The present research is a cross-sectional, descriptive, and analytic study carried out in 2018 in Tehran province, Iran. In the present study, the mental health of the cancer patients referring to the Center for Specific Diseases in Tehran was evaluated in one setting, and no intervention was provided. The research population included 124 cancer patients of Tehran referring to the Center for Specific Diseases. Results: the overall prevalence of psychiatric disorders in patients under study was 50%. The highest sensitivity to mental disorders in each of the variables was related to men (52.7%), patients aging 40-55 (45.7%), married (51.5%), unemployed (62.5%), and illiterate patients (80%). The findings of this study indicated that there is no statistically significant relationship between the prevalence of psychiatric disorders among patients with cancer and the variables in the study. Conclusions: The results of this study indicated a high prevalence of depression disorder among cancer patients. Psychosocial stresses caused by cancer cause mental disorders, including depression in patients.