Depressive Symptoms among Cancer Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy

ObjectiveTo investigate the level of depressive symptoms among cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy and its association with sociodemographic data. A cross-sectional study was conducted among cancer patient in General Hospital Kuala Lumpur. One hundred eleven (111) cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy were evaluated, and their participation was on a voluntary basis. A well-constructed and validated questionnaire was used to assess the depressive symptom including their demographic and sociographic data. The results of the present investigation revealed that the level of depressive symptom in cancer patients did not affect between gender, ages and chemotherapy's cycle as there showed no significant difference. However, the result showed a significant difference between marital statuses. This finding would be useful and beneficial to healthcare services which might improve in management and intervention on psychological of patient undergoing chemotherapy. Other factors that contributed to depression among cancer patient also need to be investigated.