The relationships between cancer diagnosis/prognosis awareness and quality of life, anxiety, and depression in Chinese gastroesophageal cancer patients: A cross-correlation analysis.

Abstract

e24111 Background: Many gastroesophageal cancer patients in China are not made aware of their cancer diagnosis/prognosis. Explorations of the differences in depression, anxiety and quality of life between cancer patients with and without such awareness are rare. The aim of this study was to evaluate the correlation between cancer awareness status and quality of life, anxiety and depression in gastroesophageal cancer patients. Methods: Participants were gastroesophageal cancer patients recruited from a medical center in North China. The degree of awareness of their cancer diagnosis/prognosis was evaluated via interviews. Data were collected using the Self-Rating Anxiety/Depression Scale and European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30 and were analyzed using quantitative methods. Results: The study included 157 gastroesophageal cancer patients: 31 were completely unaware of their cancer diagnosis/prognosis (19.75%); 51 were partly aware (32.48%); and 75 were fully aware (47.78%). Thirty patients (19.11%) experienced anxiety and 35 (22.9%) depression. Unawareness of the real disease status was significantly correlated with worse quality of life (cognitive functioning, social functioning and appetite loss) ( Ps < 0.05) and anxiety ( P = 0.003). Conclusions: More than 50% of gastroesophageal cancer patients were unaware their diagnosis/prognosis completely and were more likely to experience worse quality of life and anxiety. Medical staff and family members should take appropriate measures to make patients aware of their cancer diagnosis/prognosis, as awareness is valuable for improving quality of life and negative emotions, contributing to the successful overall management of gastroesophageal cancer.