Determination of cancer needs and social support levels of cancer patients

"Determination of Cancer Needs and Social Support Levels of Cancer Patients", Trakya University, Institute of Health Science, Nursing Department, Master, Edirne, 2024. Background and Aim: This cross-sectional study was planned to determine the needs and social support levels of cancer patients. Material and Methods: The study was carried out with 407 patients receiving treatment at the Medical Oncology Clinic of Trakya University Medical Faculty Hospital between October 2022 and April 2023, based on voluntary participation. Data were collected using a questionnaire form containing sociodemographic information, the Cancer Needs Scale, and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support. Descriptive statistical methods (number, percentage, mean, etc.), Independent Samples t-test, One-Way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), Pearson correlation test, and multivariate linear regression modeling were used it. Results: It was determined that the age of the patients was 54.42±10.67 years, 57.2% were women and 33.2% were diagnosed with lung cancer. It was found that the general mean score of the cancer requirements scale of cancer patients was 72.46±24.10, and the general mean score of the multidimensional perceived social support scale was 45.34±11.74. Statistically significant difference was found between gender, cancer diagnosis, performance score, chemotherapy status and the cancer requirements scale (p<0.05). Statistically significant difference was also found between age, gender, marital status, education level, occupation, smoking and alcohol use, cancer diagnosis, chemotherapy status and the multidimensional scale of perceived social support scale (p<0.05). It was determined that as the social support level of cancer patients increased, their cancer requirements decreased (p<0.05). Increasing education level and performance score, metastatic cancer diagnosis, mother/father support, the support given by the family being considered partially sufficient, increasing the cancer requirements level of lung and prostate cancer; increasing social support was found to be independent variables that reduced the level of cancer requirements (p<0.05). It was determined that increasing age, ECOG performance score, cancer requirements and having a diagnosis of metastatic cancer were independent variables that decreased the level of social support, while extended family structure increased it (p<0.05). Conclusion: In conclusion, it was found that the cancer needs and social support levels of the patients were moderate, and that as the social support level of cancer patients increased, their cancer needs decreased. It was determined that the sociodemographic and disease-related characteristics of the patients (gender, marital status, age, education level, cancer diagnosis, etc.) affected their cancer needs and social support levels. Based on these results, it may be suggested that nurses should consider these characteristics of cancer patients when planning appropriate nursing interventions to meet their physical and social needs. Keywords: Cancer patient, cancer needs, social support, nursing care