Myths, beliefs, and attitude toward cancer among the family caregivers of cancer patients: A community-based, mixed-method study in rural Tamil Nadu

Sarkar, Sonali; Ajith, Karthik; Adinarayanan, S; Manghat, Sreeja; Surendran, Gayathri

doi:10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_193_22

Cited by 4 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 19 publications

(21 reference statements)

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“…We employed the same questionnaire and five-point Likert scale as the ones used by Ajith et al . [ 8 ] in a previous study (strongly agree, agree, neutral, disagree, and strongly disagree). For purposes of analysis, the responses agree and strongly agree were combined; similarly, disagree and strongly disagree were put together, while neutral was considered as a group.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 93%

“…[ 7 ] There are several myths surrounding the condition, and the associated stigma has far-reaching implications for the people affected and their caretakers. [ 8 ] A lack of knowledge, generally worse in the rural areas, can cause significant barriers to accessing health care and often neglect, especially for the elderly cancer patients. The elderly, dependent on care from the younger members of the family, face stigma leading to neglect, resulting ultimately in poor treatment outcomes.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Effect of Community-Based Health Education on Misconceptions Related to Caregiving for Cancer among Elderly in a Rural Area of Puducherry: A Pre–Post-Intervention Study

Thanigachalam,

Sarkar,

Sethuramachandran

et al. 2023

Indian Journal of Community Medicine

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Background and Aim: Families are crucial in providing comprehensive support to cancer patients, including physical, psychological, spiritual, and financial assistance. Unfortunately, cancer-related myths and stigma can have detrimental effects on those affected and their caregivers. This study aims to remove the misconceptions prevailing in a rural population of Puducherry regarding caregiving for cancer among elderly through a health education campaign. Materials and Methods: A pre- and post-intervention study was conducted among 217 adults above 18 years of age in a rural area of Puducherry. The intervention was delivered through pamphlet distribution, health talks, and discussion. Attitude, beliefs, and knowledge regarding the misconceptions about cancer were assessed in a five-point Likert scale and then the difference in the proportion of subjects with misconceptions about cancer before and after the intervention was tested using the McNemar test. Results: Among the respondents, 77% were females, 15% were illiterate, and 9.6% had a history of cancer in the family. About 23% felt cancer lends a bad name to the family and 24% considered palliative care as not necessary since end-stage cancer patients would die. Post-intervention, the perception that herbal items or diets may treat cancer declined from 45% to 18%, and that a cancer patient in the family lends bad name to the family declined from 23% to 3% (P < 0.001). Conclusions: Community-based intervention can effectively reduce misconceptions related to caregiving for cancer among elderly in rural areas. These interventions can also improve the quality of care and support provided to cancer patients.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 93%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of Community-Based Health Education on Misconceptions Related to Caregiving for Cancer among Elderly in a Rural Area of Puducherry: A Pre–Post-Intervention Study

Thanigachalam,

Sarkar,

Sethuramachandran

et al. 2023

Indian Journal of Community Medicine

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“…Thus, people who know someone with cancer might have more exposure to non–evidence-based information as they seek knowledge and are more receptive to messages around CRC, making them more vulnerable to misinformation. 47 , 48 , 50 In Middle Eastern countries, families play an important role in medical and lifestyle decisions made by patients, which can affect treatment options and opportunities for care. 6 , 51 Families are often the main carers for patients diagnosed with cancer in the Middle East and also take responsibility for treatment, 6 compared with Western countries, where care and treatment choices are more strongly dependent on patient preferences and where hospices or nursing homes are more acceptable and available.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Myths and Common Misbeliefs About Colorectal Cancer Causation in Palestine: A National Cross-Sectional Study

Elshami,

Naji,

Dwikat

et al. 2024

JCO Glob Oncol

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PURPOSE To explore public awareness of myths around colorectal cancer (CRC) causation in Palestine and to examine factors associated with good awareness. MATERIALS AND METHODS Convenience sampling was used to recruit adult Palestinians from governmental hospitals, primary health care centers, and public spaces. Recognizing 13 myths around CRC causation was assessed using a translated-into-Arabic version of the Cancer Awareness Measure-Mythical Causes Scale. Awareness level was determined based on the number of CRC mythical causes recognized: poor (0-4), fair (5-9), and good (10-13). Multivariable logistic regression was used to examine the association between sociodemographic characteristics and displaying good awareness. It adjusted for age group, sex, education, occupation, monthly income, residence, marital status, having chronic diseases, being a vegetarian, knowing someone with cancer, and site of data collection. RESULTS Of 5,254 participants approached, 4,877 agreed to participate (response rate, 92.3%). A total of 4,623 questionnaires were included in the final analysis: 2,700 from the West Bank and Jerusalem (WBJ) and 1,923 from the Gaza Strip. Only 219 participants (4.7%) demonstrated good awareness of myths around CRC causation. WBJ participants were twice more likely than those from the Gaza Strip to display good recognition (5.9% v 3.1%). Male sex, living in the WBJ, and visiting hospitals were all associated with an increase in the likelihood of displaying good awareness. Conversely, knowing someone with cancer was associated with a decrease in the likelihood of displaying good awareness. Having a physical trauma was the most recognized CRC causation myth (n = 2,752, 59.5%), whereas eating food containing additives was the least (n = 456, 9.8%). CONCLUSION Only 4.7% displayed good ability to recognize myths around CRC causation. Future educational interventions are needed to help the public distinguish the evidence-based versus mythical causes of CRC.

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“…It is also believed that cancer results from injuries that can be transmissible/ inherited and spread by cutting through it. 47 These myths and misconceptions vary across countries in Africa and present significant barriers to cancer control as cancer risk prevention lifestyle changes, screening, and treatment are ignored. 48 The reports from different African countries have indicated that religion and sociocultural beliefs contribute immensely to the myths and misconceptions about diseases in general 49,50 and cancer in particular.…”

Section: Common Myths On Cancers In Nigeriamentioning

confidence: 99%

“…It is thought that cancers are the result of past sins, wizardry/witchcraft, evil eye, evil arrows, curse, envy, and forth. It is also believed that cancer results from injuries that can be transmissible/inherited and spread by cutting through it 47 . These myths and misconceptions vary across countries in Africa and present significant barriers to cancer control as cancer risk prevention lifestyle changes, screening, and treatment are ignored 48 …”

Section: Common Myths On Cancers In Nigeriamentioning

confidence: 99%

The roles of chaplains in dispelling cancer myths in Nigeria: A narrative review

Salami,

Kanmodi,

Amzat

2023

Health Science Reports

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Background and AimsThe epidemiological burden of cancer in Africa, and Nigeria in particular, has been increasing significantly over the past few decades due to exposure to numerous risk factors as well as belief in various myths and misconceptions. Chaplains can play crucial roles in dispelling these myths and misconceptions about cancer among people. Therefore, this study seeks to review the epidemiological burden, risk factors, and myths relating to cancer and the roles of chaplains in dispelling cancer myths in Nigeria.MethodsThis paper is a narrative review that relied on secondary sources obtained through a thorough literature search of relevant articles on multiple electronic databases including PubMed, Google Scholar, and Web of Science. Published books, journal articles, and other published materials that were written in English were consulted in line with the objectives of this study. Both theoretical and empirical papers were used for this review.ResultsCancers are associated with risk factors including exposure to chemicals, ultraviolet radiation, harmful tobacco and alcohol use, exposure to human papillomavirus (HPV), and these factors may vary with age, cultural beliefs (myths and misconceptions), and socioeconomic factors among others. Chaplains, however, have crucial roles to play in dispelling cancer myths in Nigeria. These roles include counseling, advocacy, education, and psycho‐social support which may be limited by challenges such as spiritual ambiguity, inadequate training of healthcare providers and limited time/resources. These challenges can be addressed by training healthcare providers and incorporating chaplain practice in Nigerian healthcare.ConclusionThe role of chaplains in dispelling cancer myths in Nigeria is crucial despite the numerous challenges. Hence, an urgent address of these challenges will be instrumental in ensuring effective chaplain practice in Nigeria.

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Myths, beliefs, and attitude toward cancer among the family caregivers of cancer patients: A community-based, mixed-method study in rural Tamil Nadu

Cited by 4 publications

References 19 publications

Effect of Community-Based Health Education on Misconceptions Related to Caregiving for Cancer among Elderly in a Rural Area of Puducherry: A Pre–Post-Intervention Study

Effect of Community-Based Health Education on Misconceptions Related to Caregiving for Cancer among Elderly in a Rural Area of Puducherry: A Pre–Post-Intervention Study

Myths and Common Misbeliefs About Colorectal Cancer Causation in Palestine: A National Cross-Sectional Study

The roles of chaplains in dispelling cancer myths in Nigeria: A narrative review

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