Experiences of patients undergoing chemotherapy - a qualitative study of adults attending Uganda Cancer Institute

Abstract

Background: Cancer is a global public health challenge and how patients in countries with poor healthcare infrastructure experience cancer treatment is largely unknown. Purpose: The objective of this study was to describe adult Ugandan cancer patients' experiences of undergoing chemotherapy treatment. Methodology: Using a qualitative descriptive design, seven in-patients with varying cancer diagnoses at the Uganda Cancer Institute were interviewed about their experiences of undergoing chemotherapy treatment; the interviews were transcribed and analysed thematically. Results: The analysis resulted in nine subthemes, which were categorized under three main themes: 'experiences related to the body', with the subthemes dry and sensitive skin, changes in eating and bowel habits, fever and feelings of abnormal body sensation; 'thoughts and feelings', with four subthemes reflecting the psychosocial impact of chemotherapy; and 'actively dealing with discomfort', with three subthemes describing how patients dealt with side effects, such as by sticking to a diet. Conclusion:Receiving chemotherapy treatment is difficult, and the side effects negatively influenced patients' bodies and moods. Dealing actively with discomfort and accepting negative impacts in hope of a cure helped the participants manage the acute complications related to the treatment. We recommend the development of interventions to ease discomfort due to chemotherapy.

Experiences of women with breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy: A study at Ho Teaching Hospital, Ghana

“…To minimize the side effects and improve the psychological well-being of patients, participants in this current study were taken through series of preparation during the initial phase such as dietary requirements which included eating of fruits and vegetables and the importance of avoidance of crowd to prevent opportunistic infections to help them cope and adjust with the effects of treatment. This finding agreed with findings by Suwankhong and Liamputtong (2018): Lai et al (2017) and Wampaalu et al (2016) which indicated breast cancer patients should necessarily employ medically recommended coping and self-adjustment strategies including diet adjustments such as eating lots of fruits and vegetables, exercise and taking enough rest, and engaging in indoor activities to minimize the side effects of chemotherapy. The study further revealed that others isolated themselves as much as possible since they felt their immune system was compromised and they could contract opportunistic infections.…”

23 Full Factorial Model for Particle Size Optimization of Methotrexate Loaded Chitosan Nanocarriers: A Design of Experiments (DoE) Approach

“…Cancer is the second most morbidity causing disease, and its treatment procedure is still a therapeutic and economic challenge. Even though, conventional cancer chemotherapy has improved survival rate, they also have grievous limitations [ 1 ]. For instance, chemotherapy has drug distributing nonspecifically all over human body, thus affecting both cancerous and healthy cells.…”

A Review on Chemotherapy Induced Complications in Cancer Patients

“…Receiving chemotherapy treatment was not easy, and the side effects experienced had a negative impact on their bodies and moods. Dealing actively with discomfort and accepting negative impacts in hope of a cure helped to manage the acute complications of their chemotherapy 7 . Cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy experience a variety of symptoms.…”