Needs and emotional states in cancer patients: A study of 21 Chinese women with carcinoma of the ovary

Abstract

Cancer is a disease associated with suffering and death. Cancer patients have special needs and related emotions which require special care. Much has been written on the psychosocial needs of Caucasian cancer patients and on what their physicians should do. A preliminary descriptive study was made on 21 Chinese women suffering from carcinoma of the ovary and who had received surgery and chemotherapy. Their needs and emotional states related to their disease and treatment were observed. Only half of the patients admitted that they realised that they had cancer and just 2 out of 21 knew exactly what kind of cancer they suffered from and the reasons for receiving chemotherapy. It appeared that a majority of the patients were not keen to seek information about their illness and the therapy they received. They seemed to be content to leave all decisions to their attending doctors. Management strategies are proposed, based on the findings in this group of women.