Cancer-Related Stigmatization, Quality of Life, and Fear of Death Among Newly Diagnosed Cancer Patients

Abstract

The purpose of the study is to investigate the gender differences among newly diagnosed cancer patients from the cultural perspective of Pakistan. The data comprised two equal groups: men (50%) and women (50%). Most participants were 31–45 years old, and the duration of the cancer diagnosis was less than 6 months (74.6%). The data was collected on the following scales: the discrimination and stigma scale, the internalized stigma scale, the WHO-quality of life scale, and the fear of death scale. Data was analyzed using SPSS v.25; descriptive statistics, an independent sample t-test, and simple linear regression were applied to the data. The results revealed that men and women are both experiencing cancer-related stigmatization in Pakistan. However, women face a higher level of stigmatization, lower quality of life, and higher fear of death than men. Furthermore, the regression analysis result confirms that the cancer-related stigma faced by the diagnosed patients decreases the patient’s quality of life and induces the fear of death.

Prevalence and associated factors of depression and anxiety among patients with cancer seeking treatment at the Butaro Cancer Center of Excellence in Rwanda

“…Interestingly, male patients were at a lower risk to be depressed than female patients. Although these results are collaborating with the previous studies ( 43 , 59 ), our findings could also be explained by a smaller number of male patients enrolled in our study compared to female patients.…”

“…STAI-T is a psychometric instrument used to measure the severity of anxiety ( 42 ). STAI-T is one of the parts of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) with high test-retest reliability, internal consistency, and concurrent validity with another anxiety questionnaire ( 43 ). Previous studies conveyed that the scores of STAI-T vary from a minimum score of 20 to a maximum score of 80 on both the STAI-T and STAI-S subscales.…”

“…Therefore, the cutoff is 37, and its internal consistency coefficients have ranged from 0.86 to 0.95. In this study, we used the STAI-T, whose scores range from 20 to 80 and show a greater level of anxiety ( 43 , 45 ). It measures the rate of several anxiety-related symptoms regarding how the individuals feel.…”

“…The stress caused by a cancer diagnosis and its treatment can disrupt existing health behaviors or exacerbate unhealthy behaviors ( 41 , 42 ). These stresses may also lead to anxiety and depression disorders ( 40 , 43 ).…”

Silent Struggles: Mental Health Barriers in Men Facing Cancer

“…Denial, coupled with the apprehension of societal judgment, inhibits male cancer patients from acknowledging their mental health needs. It leads to a cycle of silent suffering, hindering their willingness to seek help and stifling potential avenues for support (21). Furthermore, a prevalent obstacle lies in the limited awareness and understanding of available mental health support services.…”