Dr. Neelam Rathee
Abstract
As the number of cancer survivors increase due to continued improvements in cancer screening and
treatment, the quality-of-life of cancer survivors becomes an important concern. Cancer not only
affects the physical health; it can also give rise to many psychological problems. Even after successful
treatment, the psychological, social, and physical well-being of cancer survivors is challenged by
increased risk of depression, cancer-related distress, and fear of recurrence. With the inclusion of “lifethreatening
illness” as a diagnostic criterion for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in the
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM)-IV, and DSM-IV-TR (Text Revised), people with histories
of cancer are now assessed and considered at risk for post-traumatic stress (PTS) and other related
symptoms. Review suggests that PTS has been studied in a variety of cancers, including melanoma,
lymphoma, breast cancer, ovarian cancer, and mixed cancers. However, factors associated with the
higher prevalence for the development of PTS and PTSD, have not been extensively studied. The
present study is an attempt to assess the prevalence of PTSD and Depression among women cancer
patients and survivors from the city of Chandigarh with relation to the age of patients at the onset of
cancer and their socio-economic status. The findings have been discussed in relation to the factors
suggesting which patients might be at increased risk for the development of PTSD and Depression
resulting in poor well-being and quality of life.
Keywords
Cancer, Stress, PTSD, Depression, Well-being, Women patients.