Saudi Patient and Companion Attitudes Toward Cancer

Abstract

One hundred Saudi cancer patients and companions, seen by the oncologists at King Faisal Specialist Hospital for the first time for therapy, were assessed as to how well they coped with the illness. Results of a questionnaire pointed to the fact that only 16% of the patients and 69% of the companions were informed, by the physician in charge, about the nature of the illness prior to referral to the oncologist. The patients who knew they had cancer did not react to it more intensely than patients unaware of the diagnosis. Anger and guilt also seemed to be less frequently expressed. Some of the characteristics of Islam (especially the belief in God's will) and strong interpersonal bonds found in the Kingdom seem to protect patients, making them better able to cope. However, the question in the Eastern as opposed to the Western world is "whether" rather than "how" to inform the patient.AY Bedikian, V Saleh and S Ibrahim, Saudi Patient and Companion Attitudes Toward Cancer. 1985; 5(1): 17-24

Cancer in Saudi Arabia

“…41 From King Faisal Specialist Hospital records, it seems that more than 70% of the cancer patients are admitted in an advanced stage, usually beyond curative therapy. 2,16,42 Therefore, health education programs for the public and health professionals should promote awareness, early diagnosis, and prompt treatment. Precautions should be taken against carcinogenic factors in the environment, such as smoking, excessive industrial pollution, and exposure to excessive ultraviolet radiation.…”

Cancer disclosure-account from a pediatric oncology ward in Egypt

“…Barriers to disclosure are many; they vary across cultures and societies. In a study of adult patients, a survey regarding the experience of 249 physicians in Saudi Arabia revealed that 75% of the physicians preferred disclosing the diagnosis to close family members rather than to the adult patient . Another study from Saudi Arabia revealed that physicians expressed the wish to inform patients of the diagnosis, but they did not know what to say or how to say it.…”

“…The second most common term was “difficult disease” (n = 161), whereas the more specific terms “malignant disease” and “cancer” were hardly used at all (n = 31 and n = 18, respectively). In a survey of 100 adult cancer patients and next of kin in Saudi Arabia, it was found that only 16% of the patients were told that they had “cancer” and 34% were told they had a “tumor.” On the other hand, 69% of the next of kin were told about the diagnosis of cancer …”

An Evaluation of the Need for Psychosocial Counseling for Saudi Cancer Patients

“…Community interview surveys have shown that fear from and anxiety about cancer are widespread among patients and their relatives. [5][6][7] With no control over events once cancer is diagnosed, patients and their family members are overwhelmed by despair. 6,8,9 Our study showed that 92% of the patients had an adverse reaction to the discovery of cancer.…”