Abstract:
Introduction: Stress in cancer patients directly affects the outcome of treatment. Aim of the
study was to assess stress levels in cancer patients.
Methods: A sample of cancer patients (N=210) were assessed using an interviewer administered
questionnaire and the General Health Questionnaire- 12 item version (GHQ-12).
Results: Whole sample had reported some level of distress; a large majority (65%) had reported
severe levels of distress (GHQ>20).The overall mean GHQ score (mGHQs) was 22.50 (SD=3.8).
Severe distress level indicated by participants with different cancer types ranged from 57% of
those with breast cancer to 84%with lung cancer. No significant differences were found in
mGHQs of five cancer types (p=0.056). Half of the participants (51%) had reported disabilities
and their mGHQs (±SD) was 23.79 (±4.30), while mGHQs (±SD) of those without disability was
21.17(±2.70) (p<0.001). Among them, 49% had two disabilities (mGHQs-21.16±2.69), 27% had
more than three disabilities (mGHQs- 24.82±4.62).Majority (64%) earned monthly income of
<Rs. 10000and their mGHQs was 23.19 while that of those who earned > Rs.10000 was
21.28(p<0.001).
Conclusions: Lung cancer patients were severely distressed. Cancer patients with lower income
and disabilities were reported to have higher distress. Psychosocial support services should
prioritize patients experiencing disabilities and those who are from lower economic background.