EVALUATION OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PSYCHOSOCIAL STATUS OF PATIENTS UNDERGOING RADIOTHERAPY AND INVOLVED SYSTEMS IN CANCER THERAPY

Cancer, beyond its serious and chronic nature, is a disease; full of uncertainties reminding of death accompanied by pain and complicated feelings. In this prospective clinical study, we've examined the expectations and psychosocial states of cancer patients who underwent radiotherapy. Between July 2001 and May 2002, 65 inpatient cancer patients have bee interviewed by social worker based on questionnaire developed in department of Radiation Oncology in Gulhane Military Medical Academy. The data procured from this questionnaire have been evaluated. Most of the patients treated with radiotherapy were males at a range of 18-24 year-old. Those patients knew what their disease was, but when informed of the diagnosis intensely started to live with the feeling of astonishment and uncertainty, have used alternative medicine besides medical therapy and learned about radiotherapy with information from other inpatients. Our study results revealed that the group interviewed was not yet disease-acceptance stage, some were using alternative treatment modalities and were not pleased with the change of attitude of the society towards them.