Sexual Health, Suicidal Ideation and weight changes in Cancer patients during Chemotherapy and Radiotherapy Treatment

Abstract

Background: During chemotherapy or radiotherapy sessions, cancer patients often go through a series of physical, psychological, social and environmental changes that affects the QOL of the patients. While assessing for the anxiety and depression scores affecting the QOL, maximum of the patients left the question of sexual activity, suicidal ideation and weight issues unanswered. Objectives: The present paper focused on the issue of sexual activity, suicidal ideation, and weight changes during chemotherapy or radiotherapy sessions while determining the anxiety and depression scores for QOL of cancer patients during the treatment regimen. Methods: It was a cross-sectional, descriptive, hospital based evaluation study. Total duration of the study was 5 months (December 2015-April 2016), conducted in Medical and Radiation Oncology department of Dr. B.L. Kapur Memorial Hospital, New Delhi, India. A convenience sample of 60 patients (Chemotherapy group (n= 30) and Radiotherapy group (n= 30)) with cancer was selected. Data was obtained through direct interview, using validated Psychological intervention tool in the form of Questionnaire: WHOQOL-Bref Questionnaire, Zung Self-Rating Anxiety scale and Zung Self-Rating Depression scale, which was further managed through a statistical program, using appropriate statistical tests. Results: A total of 60 cancer patients were included in the study in which Chemotherapy group consisted of 30n cancer patients and Radiotherapy group consisted of 30n cancer patients. In the study, 6(20%) were males and 24(80%) were females in the chemotherapy group, and, 15(50%) were males and 15(50%) were females in the radiotherapy group. Majority of the patients 32(53.34%) were in the age range of 46-60 years. Conclusion: It could be concluded from the present study that in Indian scenario, cancer patients felt sexual activity and suicidal ideation as a social stigma which is further accompanied by hesitation. Moreover, maximum patients observed stable weight and some patients observed increase in weight during chemotherapy sessions.