Patients with ovarian cancer – knowledge and awareness of their disease, treatment, and possible complications

Abstract

Introduction: Ovarian cancer is one of the most common cancers in Sri Lankan women and the third most common cancer among them. Health care workers as a team should be involved in patient education and counseling which must be customized according to the medical, psychological, social, financial, and spiritual background of the patient concerned. Objectives: To assess patient awareness and knowledge about ovarian cancer, its treatment, and possible complications. To evaluate patients’ concerns about how they were educated and counseled. Identify shortcomings and drawbacks and suggest measures to improve patient counseling and education. Method: A prospective cross-sectional study was done with 178 patients to evaluate their knowledge about their disease, treatment, and possible complications of ovarian cancer. Assessment was done through an interviewer administered questionnaire. Assessment of the stage of the disease at diagnosis was done by comparing patient’s description with patient’s notes. Results: 112 (63%) patients had satisfactory knowledge of the correct diagnosis of their disease whereas 56 (31%) patients had poor knowledge. 133 (74%) patients had good knowledge about the stage of the disease whereas 35 (20%) had poor knowledge. Concerning the treatment options, 133 (74%) had good knowledge but 33 (19%) patients had poor knowledge. Regarding the possible complications of the disease and possible complications of treatment 97 (54%) and 69 (39%) patients had good knowledge respectively, whereas 82 (46%) and 109 (61%) had poor knowledge respectively. 154 (87%) patients were satisfied with the education and counseling they had and 24 (13%) were unhappy. Conclusion: Patient knowledge about their disease, treatment, and complications is not satisfactory and needs improvement. A counseling model needs to be developed and audited regularly.