title: Psychosocial impact of cancer on adult patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore the effects of cancer on psychosocial aspects of Pakistani patients and their families, assessing the need for interventions to improve their quality of life.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective, Cross-sectional study was performed on 200 patients visiting the oncology outpatient facility of AKUH from December 2010 to May 2011 through an interview. Responses were recorded on pre-designed questionnaires including FACT-G QOL (Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General Quality Of Life) component.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Out of the 200 patients 52 (26%) were males and 148 (74%) were females. Mean age was 51.8 +/- 14.2 years. Breast cancer accounted for the commonest cancer in females 116 (58%) and lung in males 30 (15%), 100 (50%) patients were currently undergoing chemotherapy. In all 148 (74%) patients were well aware of their diagnosis and were able to cope better and 142 (71%) were well supported by families (majority being financially stable). Major financial impact was found in 42 (21%) cases. Religious/spiritual help was sought by 138 (69%) patients predominantly females- 113 (76%) and 22 (11%) patients consulted a psychiatrist; 20 (94%) subjects of this group felt this intervention was helpful. Responses regarding effect on the patient's sexual life were poor and 126 (63%) denied answering the question.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In our study one third of cancer patients were found to be depressed mainly affecting those who were receiving multimodality treatment or facing financial issues. Religious help was the main coping strategy for them.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, The Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan. yasmin.rashid@aku.edu
authors.forename: Yasmin Abdul
authors.initials: YA
authors.lastname: Rashid
authors.forename: Zahra Abdul
authors.initials: ZA
authors.lastname: Ghafoor
authors.forename: Nehal
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Masood
authors.forename: Talha
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Mehmood
authors.forename: Safia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Awan
authors.forename: Tooba
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ansar
authors.forename: Murtaza
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mirza
authors.forename: Uzma Abdul
authors.initials: UA
authors.lastname: Rashid
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D024221:Antineoplastic Protocols; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology; D017281:Cost of Illness; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D019468:Disease Management; D005192:Family Health; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D010154:Pakistan / Q000453:epidemiology; D011788:Quality of Life; D012067:Religion; D018434:Sickness Impact Profile; D012917:Social Adjustment; D012944:Social Support; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires