Assessing the Quality of Life of Patients With Radiation and Chemotherapy

Objectives Cancer ranks as the second leading cause of death globally, responsible for approximately one in six deaths. Around 70% of these cancer-related deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries. Cancer impacts all aspects of an individual’s life, and a diagnosis can significantly diminish a patient’s quality of life (QoL), often due to the aggressive nature of treatment. The objective of this study is to assess the QoL of cancer patients with radiation and chemotherapy. Material and Methods A quantitative approach using a descriptive cross-sectional study design was conducted among 132 cancer patients aged 20 years and above who underwent either radiation or chemotherapy treatment. Purposive sampling was used for data collection. Patients undergoing radiation or chemotherapy for first and second-stage cancer were included, while those undergoing combined interventions or surgery were excluded from the study. Results The QoL of patients receiving radiation therapy (Group 1) showed that, among the seven domains assessed, psychological well-being had the highest mean score (6.90 ± 1.57), indicating better QoL in this domain. In patients receiving chemotherapy (Group 2), the highest QoL was observed in the domain of general well-being, with a mean score of 6.79 ± 2.98. Conclusion A cancer diagnosis is one of the most serious health challenges, significantly impacting the general well-being of patients throughout the treatment process. The QoL may vary depending on the treatment modality.