Original Research Article
Year: 2020 | Month: April-June | Volume: 5 | Issue: 2 | Pages: 151-158
A Cross-Sectional Study to Assess the Spectrum of Physical Ailments among Gastrointestinal Tract Cancer Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy
Khina Sharma1, Sumit Kumar2, Supriya2, Tanya Gandhi2, Tejeshwar Kaur2, Vijaya Kumari2, Simerpreet Kaur2, Abhishek Yadav1, Dr. Awadhesh Kumar Pandey3
1MSc Nursing, Nursing tutor, College of nursing, Government and Medical College Hospital, Chandigarh
2B.Sc. Nursing, College of nursing, Government Medical College and Hospital, Chandigarh
3Head of Department of Radiation Oncology, Government Medical College and Hospital, Chandigarh
Corresponding Author: Khina Sharma
ABSTRACT
Background: Chemotherapy is the treatment of choice for cancer patients, which aims to destroy the cancerous cells. However, along with cancerous cells, normal cells are also affected which can result in specific physical ailments.
Aim: The purpose of present study was to investigate the spectrum of physical ailments among gastrointestinal tract cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy and to find association between these physical ailments with demographic variables of patients.
Methods: The study included 97 gastrointestinal tract cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Data was collected using interview technique consisting of sample characteristics and checklist for physical ailments.
Results: In present study, most prevalent chemotherapy induced physical ailments were nausea/vomiting (79.38%) and fatigue (78.35%) followed by weight loss (64.95%), oral ulcers and diarrhea.
Conclusion: In the present study, it was found out that, chemotherapeutic agents, in fact, can lead to occurrence of various physical ailments due to their effect on healthy cells. Early identification of these ailments is essential for nurses. Nurses can provide necessary health education to the patient, enabling the patient to self-care and to understand various possible ailments associated with chemotherapy. Complementary therapies provided by the nurse can help to reduce physical ailments arising due to chemotherapy.
Keywords: Gastrointestinal tract cancer, Physical ailments, Nursing care, Chemotherapy, cancer nursing