B102
Coping strategies and quality of life adopted by lung cancer patients in greater Mumbai
Namrata Agarwal, Usha Ram, B Yeole
International Institute for Population Sciences, Mumbai, India
Background
Cancer outcomes are usually measured in terms of overall survival rates. Although these outcomes remain essential, but there is a need to assess the impact of cancer and its treatment on patients health related quality of life. In developing countries where 85% of the patients are detected in advance stages and they have to undergo aggressive treatment which duly interfere with their general health related parameters and social life. Hence, in low resource setting it is a challenge for medical team and patients family members to provide psychological, informational and emotional support throughout the fight against the disease.
Aim
To examine the coping strategies and quality of life adopted by lung cancer patients in Greater Mumbai wherein advance curative facilities are accessible.
Method
Lung cancer has a very poor prognosis hence; newly diagnosed patients registered at different hospitals were contacted for the present study. Quality of life was measured using standard instruments; the Medical Outcomes Study- Short Form Survey Instrument (MOS-SF-36), a brief health status measure for measuring quality of life. Depression scale, social support, religious coping, general health and socioeconomic details were studied by interviewing patients at their residence after taking their informed consent.
Results
A total of 42 patients confirmed for their illness with primary site as lung registered in the year 2008 were interviewed using a semi-structured interview schedule. Strong family support, positive thinking and purpose of life played a key role in fighting with the disease. An appropriate health seeking behaviour, good general medication and emotional support from family and friends were revealed to be very important factors for coping. The quality of life was also found to be not only the outcome of the disease and its treatment, but is also highly dependent on each patients socio-economic characteristics.
Conclusion
Despite the small sample size, the findings broadly provide a base for large-scale future studies and suggest intervention in Mumbai to fill in the existing gaps.
