%0 Journal Article
%T Cancer, Health Literacy, and Happiness: Perspectives from Patients under Chemotherapy
%A Sara Maria Oliveira Pinto
%A S¨ªlvia Maria Alves Caldeira Berenguer
%A Jos¨¦ Carlos Amado Martins
%J Nursing Research and Practice
%D 2013
%I Hindawi Publishing Corporation
%R 10.1155/2013/291767
%X Cancer is a dreaded disease that affects all dimensions of human life. In this context, issues related to the quality of life¡ªas happiness, perception about health status, or health literacy¡ªare important. This study aims to analyze the following topics the perception: the Portuguese cancer patients have about their health status while undergoing chemotherapy, the satisfaction with the information relating to their health, their level of happiness, and their vision of the future. An observational, cross-sectional, and descriptive study was developed. Data were collected between May and July 2012 in the day hospital of a central hospital in northern Portugal. The sample was composed of 92 cancer patients who were asked to answer a questionnaire during chemotherapy. The results indicate that, despite this life-threatening disease, patients consider themselves fairly happy and have an optimistic view of the future. Information about their health condition and religious beliefs was important coping mechanisms to help dealing with the suffering caused by the disease. The study highlights the importance of providing care in a holistic way. Nurses must be alert and available to listen, answer questions, provide supporting structures, or refer to other professionals when needed. 1. Introduction The scientific-technological development that has occurred in the last half of the twentieth century determined important changes in the course of the disease, being the pathologies of chronic character the leading cause of death in modern societies. However, this increase in longevity brought another kind of concerns related to comorbidities and limitations that arise as a result of living with a chronic illness. In general, we live longer but this increase in life expectancy does not always correspond to better quality of life [1]. In this context, issues related to quality of life have been gaining special importance and are widely studied in various contexts, particularly in oncology. Cancer¡ªwhich is one of the leading causes of death worldwide¡ªis one of the most dreaded diseases in the present [2, 3]. The strong physical, psychological, social, emotional, and spiritual impact reminds the person of one¡¯s vulnerability and leads one to wonder about the meaning of life, and that may cause suffering [4]. Recent studies have shown that the concept of quality of life is closely associated with self-perception about wellbeing, with the satisfaction with life and happiness [5]. In this context, health professionals, particularly in the context of palliative care¡ªwhose
%U http://www.hindawi.com/journals/nrp/2013/291767/