Predictors of quality of life of cancer patients: A psycho-oncological study conducted at Tripura, North-East India.

BACKGROUND: Cancer is, no doubt, a life-threatening illness, and it has a long-term effect on the physical and mental health of the patients, particularly on their quality of life (QOL). Many factors significantly impact the QOL of cancer patients, and the present article is an attempt to explore the predictors of QOL of cancer patients. More specifically, the article tries to ascertain the role of the area of living, educational status, family income, and type of family on the QOL of cancer patients. We also tried to examine the role of illness duration and spirituality on the QOL of cancer patients.

METHODS: The sample consisted of 200 cancer patients belonging to the state of Tripura, a Northeastern state of India. General Information Schedule, Quality of Life Patient/Cancer Survivor Version (developed by Ferrell, Hassey-Dow, and Grant), and The Spiritual Experience Index-Revised (developed by Genia) were used for data collection. For analysis of data, independent t-test, analysis of variance, and multiple linear regression were computed. The statistical analysis was carried out using IBM SPSS Version 25.0.

RESULTS: Out of 200 cancer patients, there were 100 (50%) men and 100 (50%) women patients. Most of the cancer patients (100, 50%) were suffering from oral cancer, followed by lung and breast cancers. They were mostly from the rural areas of Tripura and belonged to nuclear families. Most of them were not much educated, and their monthly family income was below INR (Indian National Rupee) 10,000. A total of 122 (61%) cancer patients were diagnosed less than 1 year before. The results showed no significant difference in QOL scores among the subgroups of cancer patients in socioeconomic and illness factors, except for family income. Further analysis revealed that only spirituality and educational qualification of cancer patients significantly predicted their QOL.

CONCLUSION: The current article can act as a springboard for further studies in this area and provide aids for socioeconomic development while improvising cancer patients' QOL.