Healthcare Scenario of Cancer Patients in Tamil Nadu

Introduction In recent decades, incident of cancer cases have been systematically and continuously registered all over the world. World Health Organization has revealed that the cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide, accounting for 7.6 million deaths in 2008 and continues to rise to over 13.1 million in 2030. In India there has been an increasing trend of cancer patients during the last few decades. In Tamil Nadu, cancer cases were in 2001 male 28, 246 and female 30, 283, 2006 male 32, 496 and female 35, 298, 2011 male 37, 106 and female 40, 737. Thus, the present research aims to study the healthcare of cancer patient living in Tamil Nadu. Objectives 1) To evaluate the socio-economic and demographic backgrounds, 2) To analyse the health status and 3) To identify the underlying factors of healthcare scenario of cancer patients. Sample This study based on scientifically tested deliberate/purposive random sampling procedure. The information is collected from 1000 registered cancer patients receiving healthcare from 10 multi-speciality hospitals in Tamil Nadu. Methodology Collected data have beenanalysed with the help of SPSS software package and Factor analysis is employed to identify the underlying dimensions of healthcare of cancer patient. Conclusion Eight most important dimensions are drawn to facilitate easy interpretation of variables, Acquired Disease, Working Environment, Lifestyle, Health Condition, Psychosomatic Condition, Abortion, Physical Changes after the Treatment and Expenses. These are the major dimensions of healthcare of cancer patients.