Psychological Symptoms in Recently Diagnosed Cancer Patients

Abstract

The study sought to empirically evaluate levels of depression, anxiety and hopelessness in adults recently diagnosed with cancer. Fifty newly diagnosed cancer patients (with mixed cancer sites) were compared to a group of non-clinical controls using the Beck Depression Inventory, Beck Anxiety Inventory and Hopelessness Scale. The results showed significantly higher levels of depression, anxiety and hopelessness reported by the cancer subjects. Also significant positive correlations were found across these clinical variables. The findings highlight the psychological symptoms manifested by newly diagnosed cancer patients and emphasize the need for concerted efforts to provide appropriate psychological care to such patients. This aspect of the management of cancer patients, especially in the early stages of coping with the diagnosis, is often ignored or superficially handled.