Cancer, Health Literacy, and Happiness: Perspectives from Patients under Chemotherapy

Abstract

Cancer is a dreaded disease that affects all dimensions of human life. In this context, issues related to the quality of life—as happiness, perception about health status, or health literacy—are important. This study aims to analyze the following topics the perception: the Portuguese cancer patients have about their health status while undergoing chemotherapy, the satisfaction with the information relating to their health, their level of happiness, and their vision of the future. An observational, cross-sectional, and descriptive study was developed. Data were collected between May and July 2012 in the day hospital of a central hospital in northern Portugal. The sample was composed of 92 cancer patients who were asked to answer a questionnaire during chemotherapy. The results indicate that, despite this life-threatening disease, patients consider themselves fairly happy and have an optimistic view of the future. Information about their health condition and religious beliefs was important coping mechanisms to help dealing with the suffering caused by the disease. The study highlights the importance of providing care in a holistic way. Nurses must be alert and available to listen, answer questions, provide supporting structures, or refer to other professionals when needed.

Who are happy survivors? Physical, psychosocial, and spiritual factors associated with happiness of breast cancer survivors during the transition from cancer patient to survivor

“…However, few studies have specifically examined the effect of happiness on breast cancer survivors. Most studies have examined happiness as a part of QoL rather than as an independent primary outcome focusing on either patients undergoing treatment or long‐term survival . Happiness is a complex and multidimensional emotional status that is affected by various biological, psychological, economic, spiritual, and social factors .…”

The effect of exchanging drawings with peers on the happiness of children with cancer, aged 7–11 years: A clinical trial

“…Their life therefore undergoes enormous changes [32]. These children are also predisposed to infection and are continually hospitalized, which leads to their isolation from the family and society [21,32]. These children are therefore denied of the particular sense of happiness that is characteristic of childhood; however, happiness and vitality make treatment more successful and increase life expectancy [33].…”

“…Drawing can affect children's feelings and enable the expression and release of emotions. Some studies have emphasized the effectiveness of drawing in improving children's psychological status [18][19][20][21]. In drawing sessions, children express their negative feelings through drawing and regulate their emotions by projecting their feelings [4,22,23].…”

Patients' quality of life during treatment with cytostatic drugs in hematologic cancers

“…All this leads to the impaired self-esteem of thesick person. The research by Pinto et al shows that half of the patients during treatment with chemotherapeutic agents evaluate their health as 'neither good nor bad' [7]. Acute myeloid leukemia and lymphomas are more common for males.…”