Suffering experiences of people with cancer undergoing chemotherapy: A meta-ethnographic study

Distress and Spiritual Well-Being in Brazilian Patients Initiating Chemotherapy during the COVID-19 Pandemic-A Cross-Sectional Study

Social distancing and the priority given to COVID-19 patients in health services, which caused postponement of appointments and cancer treatment, may have triggered unprecedented levels of distress in cancer patients. The aim of this study was to analyze the prevalence of distress and the levels of spiritual well-being of people initiating chemotherapy during the COVID-19 pandemic, identifying the factors associated with distress, and determining if there is a relationship between distress and spiritual well-being. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 91 Brazilians. Data were collected by applying the Spiritual Well-Being Scale (SWBS) and the Distress Thermometer and Problem List for Patients. The prevalence of distress was 59.5%, and the average score of spiritual well-being was 106.54 (±9.06). Emotional issues were the most reported by patients with distress. The Poisson regression showed that male sex (PR = 0.588; 95% CI 0.392–0.881), age (PR = 0.985; 95% CI 0.973–0.996), and spiritual well-being score were predictors of distress (PR = 0.971; 95% CI 0.946–0.996). These findings indicate that distress relief involves implementation of public health programs capable of integrating spiritual interventions into cancer care.

Experiences and perspectives of suffering in cancer: A qualitative systematic review

PURPOSE

Suffering refers to a situation in which a person's illness and condition threaten their integrity. The aim of this systematic review was to synthesize qualitative studies that explored suffering of persons with cancer.

METHOD

A qualitative systematic review was conducted. Psych Info, PubMed, and CINAHL were searched for relevant studies. Methodological quality was independently assessed using the Critical Appraisal Checklist from Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI). A meta-aggregative approach was utilized to analyze and synthesize the data that focused on how persons with cancer perceive suffering across their illness trajectory.

RESULTS

Twelve articles reporting the experiences of 230 participants were synthesized. Three synthesized findings were generated from the articles: suffering the loss of normality, suffering in relation to others and existential suffering. Suffering affects the person's normal activities of life and cause the loss of normality. Suffering in relation to others refers patients' suffering also impacts on and is impacted by those around them. The last synthesized finding refers to impact of suffering on patients' whole sense of being. In addition, feelings of hopelessness, and other mental anguish are inevitable responses that lead the patients to think about death. The overall methodological quality resulted in a ConQual rating of moderate for the synthesized findings.

CONCLUSION

The persons' suffering not only affects themselves but also others, particularly close relatives. The suffering experienced is complex and goes well beyond the immediate impact of physical symptoms and treatment.