Subjective Health Status, Mental Health, and Cancer Stigma in Long-term Cancer Survivors after Gastric Surgery

Purpose: The aim of this study was to explore the relationship among subjective health status, mental health, and cancer stigma of long-term cancer survivors after gastric surgery. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 135 cancer survivors visiting the family medicine clinic of a tertiary hospital were surveyed. Data were collected from March 1 to May 31, 2017. Using the questionnaire, subjective health status, mental health, and cancer stigma were measured and analyzed. Results: The mean scores for subjective health status, stress, and cancer stigma were 80.16, 2.97 and 1.59 respectively. Anxiety and depression rates were 37.1% and 28.9% respectively. Cancer stigma was negatively correlated with subjective health status (r=-.18, p=.036) and positive association with anxiety (r=.23, p=.009), depression (r=.20, p=.023), and stress (r=.21, p=.017). Conclusion: In this study, long-term cancer survivors' subjective health status, mental health, and cancer stigma were low and these variables were significantly associated. In order to improve the quality of life of long-term gastric cancer survivors, it is necessary to actively evaluate anxiety, depression, stress, and cancer stigma. The appropriate psychosocial care interventions developed through repeated research of survivors of long-term cancer should be continued.