Social support and quality of life in a group of cancer patients (Ankara, Turkey)*

Abstract

Introduction There were 14.1 million new cancer cases, 8.2 million cancer deaths, and 32.6 million people living with cancer (within 5 years of diagnosis) in 2012 worldwide (1). Cancer represents a tremendous burden on patients, families, and societies (2). Cancer is firmly at the forefront of the Turkish health agenda with a total cancer incidence of 269.7 in males and 173.3 in females per 100,000 world standard population (3,4).Treatment methods, symptom control, and the sustaining of physiological, psychological, and social wellbeing are some important issues that individuals with cancer must tackle. From the point of view of preventing and coping with physical and mental problems related to illness and treatment, positive health behaviors, improvement of self-care, strengthening of social support networks, and provision of counseling, information, and education are considered to be positive factors regarding quality of life and perceived social support. Social support is defined as the existence or availability of people who let individuals know that they care about, value, and love them. The link between social support and psychological well-being is well established (5), and much of the research conducted suggests a role for social support in a number of diseases (i.e. cardiovascular disorders, cancer, infectious diseases) (6). During a hard and complex illness like cancer, perceived support from social relationships is very important (7,8).This study aims to evaluate the perceived social support and quality of life measures of the participants with respect to demographic and illness-related characteristics. Materials and methodsThis descriptive study was carried out in the inpatient and outpatient chemotherapy and radiotherapy units of the medical oncology departments of three hospitals located in Ankara: Ankara University Faculty of Medicine's hospitals on two different campuses, Ibn-i Sina Hospital (902 beds) and Cebeci Research Hospital (1011 beds); and the Dr.Background/aim: Cancer has become an important public health challenge all around the world. Though the demographic and clinical features of cancer patients are well documented in Turkey, the establishment of social support networks has been somewhat neglected. The aim of the study was to assess cancer patients' perceived social support and quality of life characteristics.

A community approach to engaging Gypsy and Travellers’ in cancer services

“…Our study of Gypsy and Travellers' cancer beliefs and practices support a wider body of literature that highlight the pivotal roles that social relationships play in engaging marginalised populations in health programmes (Roy, 2011;Yilmaz et al, 2017). reporting a higher number of friends and relatives living locallyeven in conventional housing-and with higher than average levels of social activity with non-resident family and friends (Iddenden et al, 2008;Smith, 2008).…”

Quality of life in patients with endometrial carcinoma: A Longitudinal Study

“…We also noticed that the monthly income of patients plays an important role in their postoperative quality of life. This finding is consistent with the results reported by earlier studies (Blackburn et al, 2019;Jansen van Rensburg et al, 2017;Yilmaz et al, 2017).…”

“…We also noticed that the monthly income of patients plays an important role in their postoperative quality of life. This finding is consistent with the results reported by earlier studies (Blackburn et al., 2019; Jansen van Rensburg et al., 2017; Yilmaz et al., 2017). Endometrial cancer is a financially draining disease with a long duration, and many patients incur a tremendous economic burden while overcoming this disease.…”

Health-Related Quality of Life and Social Support of Elderly Lung and Gastrointestinal Cancer Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy

“…Regarding income, we found that a higher income was associated with greater perceived social support and RFE, GH. A study from Turkey ( Yilmaz et al, 2017 ) showed that there was a statistically significant association between social support and HRQoL, and that the best predictor that had an effect on perceived social support scores was perceived economic status (both middle, and good to very good economic status). Similar results were reported in a study conducted in the United States with 136 elderly cancer patients, diagnosed with breast, colon, lung, and prostate cancer, where low-income patients had poorer health and social support than higher-income patients ( Schwartz et al, 2019 ).…”