Impact of cancer diagnosis among cancer patients in the Vhembe District of Limpopo Province, South Africa

Abstract

Historically, cancer is regarded as a disease with very devastating effects on human beings because it leads to many deaths across the world, compared to AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria collectively. Cancer diagnosis has impacted negatively on patients and their immediate families and has caused unbearable consequences. Unlike other chronic diseases, cancer patients undergo different types of treatments which affect their well-being and as a result they tend to have different experiences to those of other chronic diseases sufferers. The study design used was a quantitative cross sectional survey. The purpose was to investigate the impact of cancer diagnosis on cancer patients in Vhembe district. The target population included all patients in the Vhembe District of Limpopo, South Africa who have been diagnosed with cancer in the past six months. Using a probability simple random, a sample of 207 patients diagnosed with cancer, from seven selected hospitals in Vhembe District were selected as respondents and a self -administered questionnaire was used to collect data. Data was analysed using a software package for descriptive statistics (SPSS version 23). Graphs, tables and charts were used to display the results visually and chi-square to compare variables. Ethical principles of privacy, anonymity, informed consent were considered. The findings revealed that cancer diagnosis has negative outcomes as patients experience physical hardship, psychological stress, financial difficulties, as well as interference with family and social life. The study recommended that cancer patients and their families, be supported through the cancer journey.