Assess the Attitudes of Cancer Patients Attending Oncology Clinics in Several Iraqi Governorates on the use of Chemotherapy, as well as their Awareness of its Side Effects

Abstract

Background: Cancers are a class of illnesses characterized by the unchecked growth and spread of abnormal cells. Death may ensue if the metastasis, or the spread of cancer cells at this point, is not stopped.

Methods & patients: In this cross-sectional descriptive study, one hundred patients participated, carried out in the oncology department at Salah Al Deen general hospital in Salah al Deen governorate and Baquba general hospital in Diyala governorate from 23 October 2022to23 February 2023, key inclusion criteria involved the oncology clinic sees all cancer patients, including inpatient and outpatient. who received chemotherapy.

Results: It was observed through our study thatmost of participants were female (72%) and only 28% were male. About 72%, 64%, 58%, 56% of participants knew that chemotherapy could cause alopecia, nausea, vomiting and loss of appetite respectively. A50% of cancerd patient participate in these study who received chemotherapy got their information from their friends , 42% of participants received their information from doctor and only 8% of participants received their information from pharmacists

Conclusion: The current study concluded that approximately more than half of the participants have acceptable knowledge about potential side effects of chemotherapy, but most of the participants were informed by their friends more than their doctor regarding side effects of chemotherapy.

Aim of study: The purpose of the study is to look into and determine how cancer patients in particular Iraqi governorates feel about using chemotherapy and how informed they are of its side effects.