Pushpakumari K. P
BACKGROUND Cancer patients experience a high level of psychological distress. Depression and anxiety are not uncommon among people diagnosed with cancer. Patients with head and neck cancer have more than three times the incidence of suicide compared with general population. Recognition of anxiety and depressive disorders in cancer patients is important because there are effective treatments that can improve patients’ quality of life. Psychosocial factors can affect negatively one’s health and wellbeing. Exposure to stressful situation may produce anxiety, depression and even they can produce psychosomatic disorders. Head and neck malignancy is one disease which has increased anxiety and depression and poor quality of life. MATERIALS AND METHODS After obtaining permission from higher authority the data were collected. Purposive sampling was the technique for sample selection. Patient variables were collected with a structured proforma developed by the investigator and in addition they were provided HADS (Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale) and WHO- QOL BREF questionnaire, which is a tool for assessment of quality of life developed by World Health Organization. The data were coded in a master sheet and analysed using SPSS V16. RESULTS Out of the hundred patients studied, maximum number of anxiety and depression patients were in the age group of 46-55 in males and 46-55 & 56-65 in females. In this study none of the population showed good quality of life. 70% showed average and the rest 30% showed poor quality of life. CONCLUSION It is proved that majority of head and neck malignancy patients are anxious and depressed due to various reasons. None of them were having good quality of life. For patients with cancer, the quantity of survival is naturally the outcome of primary importance, but when deciding on the desirability of the recommended treatment of any patient, the quality of that survival is also major consideration.
