Assessment of quality of life among cancer patients in a cancer care center of Mysuru
Background: Cancer is a non-communicable disease causing high mortality and morbidity. Most risk factors of cancer are preventable, but due to lack of awareness, ignorance, poor access to healthcare and changing lifestyle the burden of the disease is rapidly increasing. Cancer causes a lot of financial and emotional distress among the patients and their families. Measures focusing on reducing the financial burden and improving the quality of life (QoL) among cancer survivors is needed. This study was done to assess the quality of life among cancer patients.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Bharat hospital and institute of oncology for a period of 5 months (February 2021 to June 2021). A total of 380 rural women diagnosed with cancer were included in the study. EORTC QLQ-C30 (European organization for research and treatment of cancer QoL questionnaire) was used to assess the quality of life among cancer patients. The data was coded and entered in MS excel and analysed using SPSS version 25. Descriptive statistical analysis was done. The quality of life scoring is done as per the EORTC QLQ-C30 scoring manual.Results: The average functional score (AFS) was 60.14 which indicates most patients have better QoL. The average symptoms score (ASS) was 38.48 which indicated 255 (67.1%) had mild symptomatology/problems and 282 (74%) had a GHS score range of 50-75 which meant the majority had a good QoL.Conclusions: Cancer causes a huge economic burden particularly in those with a low socio-economic background. Interventions and policies should be adopted to make treatment more affordable. The patient should be offered emotional strength and families should be counselled for a better understanding of patients’ emotions.