A Study on Cancer Related Fatigue and Quality of Life (QOL) among Women Undergoing Treatment for Various Cancers in Selected Tertiary Care Hospitals of Ludhiana, Punjab.

Abstract

A set of illnesses known as cancer involve abnormal cell proliferation and have the ability to invade or spread to different bodily regions. Gynecological cancer refers to an abnormal growth of cells in female reproductive tract, including the endometrium, fallopian tubes, ovaries, uterus, cervix, vagina and breast,which tend to proliferate in an uncontrolled way. Most cancer patients experience cancer-related fatigue at some point over the course of their illness, and it can be a common and distressing symptom. Cancer related symptoms have a significant impact on patients, impacting their ability to function, their mood and their general quality of life..One of the most frequent reported side effects across all types and stages of the disease is cancer-related fatigue. Factors that perceived to affect the women fatigue are physical,mental, emotional, social and spiritual factors and these ultimately affect their quality of life too. To assess the cancer related fatigue and the quality of life among women undergoing treatment for various cancers to promote their well-being. A Quantitative research approach and cross-sectional research design was used including 100 women with cancer visiting American Oncology Institute DMCH and Mohan Dai Oswal Cancer Hospital, Ludhiana, Punjab. Data was gathered using the deliberate sampling technique.FACIT (Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy)Fatigue Scale (version 4) by S. A. caster, 2015 was used to assess Cancer Related Fatigue and FACT-G (Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General)Scale (version 4)by Dr. David Cella, 1993 was used to assess Quality of Life among women with various cancersUtilising the interview technique, quantitative data was collected. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to tabulate the data and conduct the analysis (SPSS, 16).According to the report, 56% of women were in the age range of 51 to 60 years. All women were married and had children. Majority of women (41%) had 31-40 years of duration of marriage. Most of the women (53%) belonged to Sikh religion followed by 47% belongedto Hindu religion. Less than half (33%) of women were graduate and above. Majority of women (87%)were housewives whereas 13% were doing job/business. Maximum of women (57%) were living in the nuclear family and belonged to urban (56%) areas. Maximum of women (82%) were vegetarian and more than half (55%) of women belonged to upper middle class. Mean age score was found to be 52.43±8.10 years among women. The study concluded that all the women had cancer related fatigue. There was association of cancer related fatigue and quality of life with selected socio demographic variables and also association found between cancer related fatigue and quality of life.