Psychological impact of cancer diagnosis among gynaecological cancer subjects in a tertiary care centre

Abstract

INTRODUCTIONAmong gynaecological cancers, cervical cancer is one of the most prevalent cancers that afflict women and that lead to deaths worldwide. The data from HBCRs of India has shown that cancer of cervix (28%) and breast (16%) in women are most common and cancer of Head and Neck region constitute about 30% of all cancer in males and females.1 More than 3-8% of ovarian, 0.5-4.8% of corpus uteri, 1-3% of vulvar and gestational trophoblastic tumours are reported in India every year. 2The diagnosis of cancer affects patients and their families physically, financially and emotionally. Cancer is still considered synonymous to death, pain and suffering. 3 The common psychological and emotional responses to cancer arise from knowledge of life-threatening diagnosis, its prognostic uncertainty and fears about death ABSTRACT Background: The survival rate of cancer patients has improved and focus has shifted to improve the quality of life of the survivors. An adequate knowledge is required for psychosocial interventions and designing programs aimed at improving the quality of life of the cancer patients. The purpose of the study is to assess Anxiety and Depression [Psychiatric morbidity] among gynaecological cancer subjects and its association with duration since diagnosis, type of cancer, mode of treatment and socio-demographic variables. Methods: This is an interview based cross sectional study involving 131 patients diagnosed to have gynaecological cancer who were evaluated using hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS). The gynaecological and sociodemographic data was analyzed for any correlation with HADS scores. Results:The prevalence of at least one psychiatric disorder was 90% (n=118). Sixty subjects [45.8%] had anxiety, 71 subjects [54%] had depression and 118 cases [90%] had psychiatric morbidity. Patients suffering for less than three months had anxiety; three to 12 months were both anxious and depressed; more than 12 months were depressed. Young women with less education were more anxious compared to educated women. Conclusions: Given a gynaecological cancer an individual will have 0.9 chance of developing psychiatric morbidity. Young women with less education aware of cancer diagnosis for three to 12 months were at increased risk and needs intervention. As cancer incidence is increasing and psychiatric morbidity is common among cancer patients, training of health care personnel in cancer screening and recognizing patients with common mental disorders is required to improve their quality of life. Creating awareness of public regarding risk factors of cancers, importance of screening and cancer treatment is necessary.

A study on psychological morbidity of cancer patients and chronic kidney disease patients

“…Young women with less education were more anxious compared to educated women. 10 A similar study was conducted in department of psychiatric, NIMHANS, Banglore, Karnataka, by Chaturvedi et al reported the prevalence of depression vary on methodological aspects and vary from 1.5% to 50% (mean 24%; median 22%). The prevalence of depression in patients with cancer varies with cancer site, clinical course, type of treatment, and presence of pain.…”

“…[7][8][9] Cancer is most stressful condition when a person is histologically confirmed diagnose that often a triggering factor for depression and anxiety. 10 As per the facts and figures of American cancer society, the global cancer burden indicates that cancer accounts for about 1 in every 7 deaths worldwide. In 2030, the globally burden is expected to increase 21.6 million new carcinoma cases.…”