Date Approved

2017

Degree Type

Open Access Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department or School

Health Sciences

Committee Member

Stephen Sonstein, Ph.D, Chair

Committee Member

Irwin Martin, Ph.D.

Abstract

Patients with cancer are emotionally affected during their cancer treatment course. Sometimes, patient’s psychological issues are overlooked during the actual disease treatment. Cancer patients are at a higher risk of developing anxiety and depression (A&D). A presumptive diagnosis of anxiety and depression was assessed based on a useful tool, the 14 item Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Patient responses were assessed for the prevalence of anxiety and depression. In all, 102 patients were studied using the questionnaires of HADS. The demographic and clinical details were collected from patients. Breast cancer patients had the highest prevalence of anxiety (31.6%) and depression (32.4%) among all other cancer patients. Furthermore, cancer patients experienced more anxiety problems than depression. There is a significant relationship between gender and anxiety (p = .0144), with females experiencing more anxiety problems than males. 36.2% of patients did not discuss their psychological problems with their oncologist, and 60.8% of patients did not receive any treatment for anxiety and/or depression. Younger patients (< 45 years of age, 50%), males (46.5%), and American Indians (62.5%) received treatment more frequently for anxiety and depression alongside their cancer treatment. Managing the symptoms of anxiety and depression in cancer patients helps in promoting their quality of life and improving the prognosis of the disease. So, it is very important for oncologists to understand the cancer patient’s psychological state while giving cancer treatment.

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