Perception of the disease and its impact on life in lung cancer patients

AIMS: To asses lung cancer (LC) impact on patient social life, emotional status, future expectations. To evaluate patient understanding of the disease, its risk factors and treatment. STUDY POPULATION: 95 LC patients (male 81%, female 19%, mean age 63±8,5 yrs). The average time of illness was 11,6 months. When diagnosed 89% of patients already had stage III-IV LC, however first symptoms occurred about 5 months before. METHODS: A questionnaire was created concerning understanding of the disease, its impact on social life and expectations for the future. RESULTS: 58% of patients admitted that smoking is the risk factor for LC, but only 32% quit this habit, stating that there are other factors as important as smoking, such as harmful work environment (48,4%). Patients claimed that suffering from LC did not change their personality (64%), social life (72%) or family relations (80%). One of the main reasons they felt concerned, were side effects of chemotherapy (39%). 45% used alternative ways of medicine, such as herbal infusions, vitamins and antioxidant supplements. 88% of patients reported they do not feel lonely, do not think about suicide (99%) or death (67%), but most of them avoid thinking about life expectancy and the future. 68% of patients support the possibility of euthanasia in general and 32% are against it. 86% of patients believe in God. For 81% knowing the diagnosis did not influence their faith, 16% claim it became stronger. CONCLUSIONS: Our study shows that LC does not significantly influence patient emotional status, relations with others even in advance stages of the disease. More actions should be taken to educate patients about this disease, because it might influence treatment outcomes.