title: Psychosocial concerns of cancer patients in Singapore.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Psychosocial needs are high among cancer patients, and screening for these is recognized as integral to quality cancer care. This study identified the psychosocial needs of cancer patients at their first visit at a hematology-oncology clinic.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty-four new consecutive patients completed the Distress Thermometer and the Problem List, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and the EuroQol Quality of Life Scale at their first visit to plan for chemotherapy. Data were analyzed with SPSS.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Analyses revealed that participants had an average of 2.8 ± 2.3 problems, with 82% having psychosocial needs. Emotional concerns formed the top four psychosocial needs of the cohort (worry 46%, fears 26%, nervousness 26%, sadness 24%), with the fifth being a practical concern (insurance/finance 22%). The former were more frequent among 41- to 50-year-olds and significantly correlated with distress scores. Practical concerns were significantly correlated with depressive symptoms. Family concerns were more significant in women. The overall score on the Problem List correlated with distress, anxious symptomatology and poorer quality of life scores.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Distress and psychosocial needs are high in cancer patients even at an early stage prior to chemotherapy. Attention to these needs is crucial as they cause significant distress and affect the patient's quality of life.
authors: Department of Psychological Medicine, National University Hospital, Singapore.|Department of Psychological Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore.
authors: Rathi
authors: R
authors: Mahendran
authors: Department of Psychological Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore.
authors: Haikel A
authors: HA
authors: Lim
authors: Department of Psychological Medicine, National University Hospital, Singapore.
authors: Joanne
authors: J
authors: Chua
authors: National University Cancer Institute, National University Health System, Singapore.
authors: Siew Eng
authors: SE
authors: Lim
authors: Department of Psychological Medicine, National University Hospital, Singapore.|Department of Psychological Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore.
authors: Ee Heok
authors: EH
authors: Kua
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology*; D011584:Psychology; D011788:Quality of Life; D012846:Singapore; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: cancer patient; chemotherapy; emotional distress; psychosocial need; quality of life