Effect of Physical Changes Related to Chemo and Radiotherapy on Psychosocial Status of Adolescents with Cancer

Abstract

Adolescent oncology patients undergo many physical changes throughout treatment that have challenging psychological, emotional, and social implications. Aim of the study: to assess the effect of physical changes related to chemo and radio therapy on psychosocial status of adolescents with cancer. Research design: A descriptive design. Subject setting: the study was conducted at Pediatric Oncology department in Children Hospital affiliated to Ain Shams University hospitals. Types of sample: The study involved 240 adolescents from both sex who were with confirmed diagnosis of cancer from one year, receiving chemo and radiotherapy and appear the physical changes on their bodies. Tools: Four tools were used to data collection which namely; Interview questionnaire format, , The children depression symptoms inventory 2, The multidimensional anxiety scale for children 2 and Social questionnaire. Results: the results of study showed that more than two thirds of the studied adolescents feel cranky many time, while more than half of them liked being with peoples. Were not interactive with others, while, one quarter of them were interactive. There were highly statistical significant relation between physical changes and their social interaction with others (x2 =18.822; p-value <0.001**). Half of the studied adolescents had low physical changes related to chemo and radio therapy such as chest pain, loss of appetite, joints Pain, fall hair, change skin color and loss of body weight. Conclusion: Based on the results of the present study and research questions, the study concluded that: More than half of the studied adolescents had low physical changes and minority of them had high physical changes related to chemo and radiotherapy. In addition, the physical changes of adolescents affect their psychosocial status regarding to anxiety and depression level. Moreover, there were statistical significance difference between studied adolescents' physical changes and their psychosocial status regarding to social interaction, depression and anxiety level. Recommendations: Provide health education session to adolescents with cancer about how dealing with side effect of cancer treatment.