Stress perception among patients in pre-colonoscopy period and those undergoing chemotherapy treatment

Abstract

Objective: comparing the perception of stress among patients with colorectal cancer undergoing chemotherapy with thosein pre-colonoscopy period. Methods: a comparative descriptive study developed with 144 people receiving chemotherapyand 100 patients in the pre-colonoscopy period, using biosocial and clinical data, Stress Assessment Tool and Perceived StressScale. Results: a predominance of females (73%), aged over 65 (50%) were predominant for the pre-colonoscopy periodpatients. In patients receiving chemotherapy, gender parity with ages ranging from 40-64 years (68.1%) was observed. Precolonoscopypatients showed higher perceived stress compared to those receiving chemotherapy (p <0.001). Conclusion:the phase of diagnostic definition represents greater stress to patients in comparison to period of treatment, even despitethe characteristic manifestations of chemotherapy.