1BScN Interns, Ziauddin University College of Nursing, Block-B, North Nazimabad, Karachi, Pakistan
2Assistant Professor, Ziauddin University College of Nursing, Block-B, North Nazimabad, Karachi, Pakistan
*Corresponding author: Sami Khokhar Assistant Professor, Ziauddin University College of Nursing, Block-B, North Nazimabad, Karachi
Online published on 7 February, 2017.
Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide. There were 14.9 million incidents of cancer and 8.2 million deaths from cancer worldwide in 2013, where lung and prostate cancer were most common among men and breast cancer among women1. The current study was conducted in a well known oncology hospital of Karachi, Pakistan in June, 2016, to determine the awareness among cancer patients about their disease and treatment.
This study was conducted using quantitative cross sectional study design. A non probability convenient sampling technique was used to select sample (n=50). The data was collected using a close ended questionnaire consisting of 15 questions, after taking written consent from the participants. Patients diagnosed with cancer were included in this study.
Out of 50 participants 36 were females and 14 were males. All of the participants were between 22 and 75 years of age. Out of 50 respondents 90% know that they are diagnosed with cancer. 74% said that cancer is a curable disease. 70% do not know the stage of their disease. 56% do not know about the diet that should be taken during cancer treatment. 74% do not know that they should not eat raw vegetables.
This study discovered that the cancer patients do not have proper knowledge about the diet that should be taken during cancer treatment. Patients should be taught about their disease process, its management and prognosis, so that they participate in treatment and decision making process.
Cancer, Awareness, Patients
