Examining influential factors in newly diagnosed cancer patients and survivors: Emphasizing distress, self-care ability, peer support, health perception, daily life activity, and the role of time since diagnosis

Abstract

This study investigates the complex interrelationships between peer support, mental distress, self-care abilities, health perceptions, and daily life activities among cancer patients and survivors while considering the evolving nature of these experiences over time. A cross-sectional survey design is employed, utilizing de-identified data from the National Cancer Institute’s 2022 nationally representative dataset, which comprises responses from 1234 participants, including 134 newly diagnosed patients undergoing cancer treatment. Partial least squares structural equation modeling is employed for data analysis. The results reveal that peer support significantly reduces mental distress and positively influences the perception of self-care abilities and health perceptions among cancer patients and survivors. Additionally, the study finds that mental distress negatively affects daily life activities and self-care abilities. This means that when cancer patients and survivors experience high levels of mental distress, they may struggle with everyday tasks and find it challenging to care for themselves effectively. The research also shows that mental distress tends to decrease as time passes since diagnosis and health perceptions improve, highlighting the resilience of cancer patients and survivors over time. Furthermore, the study uncovers significant moderating effects of age, education, and income on the relationships between daily life activity difficulties, perception of self-care ability, and perception of health. In conclusion, this research provides a comprehensive understanding of the intricate associations between the variables of interest among cancer patients and survivors. The findings underscore the importance of peer support and targeted interventions for promoting well-being, resilience, and quality of life in this population, offering valuable insights for healthcare providers, researchers, and policymakers. Identifying moderating effects further emphasizes the need to consider individual differences when designing and implementing support systems and interventions tailored to the unique needs of cancer patients and survivors.

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Women and Cardiovascular Health: Unraveling Gender-Specific Factors, Risks, and Therapeutic Approaches in Contemporary Medicine

“…For example, estrogen, a hormone with known cardio-protective effects, undergoes fluctuations during different life stages, thereby impacting women's susceptibility to CVD [6]. A nuanced understanding of these gender-specific factors is essential for designing tailored interventions that take into account the unique physiological intricacies of women [7,8].…”

Exploring Patient Centered Perspectives on Suicidal Ideation: A Mixed Methods Investigation in Gastrointestinal Cancer Care

“…One of the most disturbing factors linked with cancer is the significantly increased risk of suicide among patients. This issue has attracted considerable attention from the medical community and society [4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11]. Studies reveal that gastrointestinal (GI) cancer, a group of cancers that affect the gastrointestinal tract and associated organs (digestive system), patients face a 4-fold higher risk of suicide than the general US population, with suicide ideation and completion being most prevalent within the first six to twelve months post diagnosis [7,12,13].…”