Assessment of Various Side Effects Experienced by Cancer Patients during Chemotherapy: A Descriptive Study

Introduction: Cancer, known medically as malignant neoplasia and is considered as second largest killer disease next to heart diseases. Cancer is a broad group of disease involving unregulated cell growth. Cancer can develop in any organ or tissue and can destroy normal tissues, which decreases functions of that tissues or organ. Most people fear cancer and consider a cancer diagnosis to involve suffering and death. Aim: To assess the incidence of cancer and chemotherapy and various side effects experienced by cancer patients during chemotherapy & to assess the association with various demographic variables. Material & Methods: A quantitative approach with descriptive design was used to collect data conveniently from 70 subjects suffering from various types of cancer and experienced chemotherapeutic side effects at cancer ward, DMCH, Ludhiana. Results: The results revealed that out of total 70 subjects most of subjects were with mean age (50.29 ? 12.92) females, married and belonged to urban community. Majority of subjects were non-working, vegetarian and belonged to upper middle class (II). It was found that out of total 70 subjects? majority of them 38.58% were suffering from stage II of other types of cancer. Most of the subjects experienced general weakness (94.28%) and oral mucositis (55.71%) as common side effects of chemotherapy. Conclusion: It is concluded that most of the females from urban community are suffering from various types of cancer at stage II and receiving cycle three chemotherapy experienced general weakness and oral mucositis as common side effects of chemotherapy.