Asian Oncol Nurs.  2018 Jun;18(2):86-93. 10.5388/aon.2018.18.2.86.

Subjective Health Status, Mental Health, and Cancer Stigma in Long-term Cancer Survivors after Gastric Surgery

• Jang BY
• Park JY

• KMID: 2429026
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5388/aon.2018.18.2.86

Abstract

PURPOSE
The aim of this study was to explore the relationship among subjective health status, mental health, and cancer stigma of long-term cancer survivors after gastric surgery.
METHODS
In this cross-sectional study, 135 cancer survivors visiting the family medicine clinic of a tertiary hospital were surveyed. Data were collected from March 1 to May 31, 2017. Using the questionnaire, subjective health status, mental health, and cancer stigma were measured and analyzed.
RESULTS
The mean scores for subjective health status, stress, and cancer stigma were 80.16, 2.97 and 1.59 respectively. Anxiety and depression rates were 37.1% and 28.9% respectively. Cancer stigma was negatively correlated with subjective health status (r=−.18, p=.036) and positive association with anxiety (r=.23, p=.009), depression (r=.20, p=.023), and stress (r=.21, p=.017).
CONCLUSION
In this study, long-term cancer survivors' subjective health status, mental health, and cancer stigma were low and these variables were significantly associated. In order to improve the quality of life of long-term gastric cancer survivors, it is necessary to actively evaluate anxiety, depression, stress, and cancer stigma. The appropriate psychosocial care interventions developed through repeated research of survivors of long-term cancer should be continued.

Keyword

Health status; Mental Health; Neoplasms; Stigma; Survivors

MeSH Terms

Anxiety
Cross-Sectional Studies
Depression
Diagnostic Self Evaluation*
Humans
Mental Health*
Quality of Life
Stomach Neoplasms
Survivors*
Tertiary Care Centers