Psychological Well-Being among Cancer Patients Receiving Radiotherapy: A Prospective Study

• Published in: Quality of life research Vol. 7; no. 6; pp. 495 - 500
• Main Authors: P. S. Chandra, S. K. Chaturvedi, S. M. Channabasavanna, Anantha, N., B. K. M. Reddy, Sharma, S., Rao, S.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Rapid Communications of Oxford Ltd 01.08.1998; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Adaptation, Psychological; Adult; Analysis of Variance; Breast cancer; Cancer; Diseases; Female; Humans; India; Male; Medical research; Mental health; Middle Aged; Neoplasms - psychology; Neoplasms - radiotherapy; Oncology; Prospective Studies; Psychometrics; Quality of Life; Radiation therapy; Radiotherapy; Radiotherapy - psychology; Socioeconomic Factors; Wellbeing; India
• ISSN: 0962-9343; 1573-2649
• DOI: 10.1023/A:1008822307420

The impact of cancer on the psychological well-being of newly diagnosed cancer patients before and during the course of radiotherapy was assessed in 70 consecutive cancer patients. Most of the patients were over 40 years of age, women, illiterate and from a lower socioeconomic group. During the course of treatment there was a decrease in the well-being scores on some dimensions such as perceived family and primary group support. Improvements were seen in the dimensions of positive feelings, coping, social support other than the family and spiritual well-being. There were no changes in the dimensions of negative feelings and perceived ill-health. The results give a profile on well-being and the changes observed during radiotherapy.