Efficiency of patients with carcinoma and acceptance of the disease

• Main Authors: Marzena Kamińska, Agnieszka Pawlak-Warszawska, Bożena Baczewska, Agnieszka Bronikowska, Maria Ferańska
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Termedia Publishing House 2014-04-01
• Series: Studia Medyczne
• Subjects: carcinoma; cancer; efficiency; acceptance of illness
• Online Access: http://www.termedia.pl/Efficiency-of-patients-with-carcinoma-and-acceptance-of-the-disease,67,22569,1,1.html

Introduction: Human functioning is based on physical, psychological, social and spiritual areas. The emergence of cancer and all types of problems affect these areas. Adapting to cancer is very important for the process of therapy, and acceptance of the disease is its determinant. Aim of the research study : To determine the relationship between oncological patients physical fitness and their acceptance of the disease. Material and methods: The following research techniques and tools have been used: a questionnaire survey, the Repta operation scale for assessing the functionality of patients in the course of the disease, a modified Pain Assessment Worksheet for evaluating the intensity of pain and its impact on daily activities and the AIS scale to assess the degree of acceptance of the disease. Results: Most of the respondents were fully efficient in the field of the activities of daily living. The vast majority of respondents did not feel pain, or felt pain that could be taken lightly. Pain that made daily functioning difficult, particularly in mobility and locomotion, concerned only persons over 60 years old. In the study group there was dominantly an average degree of acceptance of the disease; a small group was marked by a high level, and only a few people showed a lack of acceptance of the disease. Independent people and people in need of assistance accepted the illness at a medium level, and vulnerable patients showed the lowest level of acceptance. Conclusions : The efficiency of patients with cancer affects the level of acceptance of the disease. Cancer for the majority of respondents is not an obstacle in performing basic activities. Most respondents accept the disease, a small part selects a high level, and only a few people show a lack of acceptance of the disease.