Quality of life assessment for patients with cancer in Bangladesh.

Background: Cancer is a global health concern with significant implications for a patient's wellbeing. Maintaining a good quality of life (QOL) is a substantial challenge for patients with cancer. The aim of this study was to assess the quality of life and psychological problems of patients with cancer at the National Institute of Cancer Research and Hospital in Bangladesh.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out from December 2021 to February 2022. A total of 354 patients with cancer were interviewed via the following convenience sampling technique. Data were collected via a face-to-face interview via the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale-21 Items for assessment of quality of life. Data analysis was conducted with SPSS version 23.0.

Results: No respondent reported experiencing complete physical wellbeing, with only 9.88% experiencing full general wellbeing. Likewise, just 27.1% reported above-average psychological wellbeing, only 7.1% achieving complete mental health. Depression, sadness, fears of recurrence, rejection and functional disability were pervasive, significantly affecting social activities. Economic self-sufficiency and overall social wellbeing were universally compromised. Despite these adversities, most patients received strong support from both family and doctors, who provided essential information and a supportive environment for sharing their concerns.

Conclusion: Patients with cancer endure pronounced physical, psychological and financial hardships that co-occur and erode overall quality of life. These results call for integrated palliative care strategies including symptom management, mental health support and economic assistance to effectively alleviate the multifaceted burdens they face.