Introductory Chapter: Supportive and Palliative and Quality of Life among Cancer Patients

1. Introduction

Cancer has risen to prominence as one of the century’s leading killers, second only to heart disease in terms of mortality rate. Many scientists are now talking about “lifetime risk” in relation to cancer patients, which might mean either the time it takes for the cancer to develop and spread or the time it takes for the patient to die. Cancer diseases, whether solid or hematological in nature, are accompanied by a plethora of issues (i.e., several side effects).

Therefore, for these reasons, cancer is considered to be one of the most significant diseases that can negatively impact human life expectancy [1].

2. Impact of cancer on patients’ quality of life (QoL)

Cancer sufferers’ symptoms tend to be quite varied. If symptoms are not properly managed, it can interfere with a person’s ability to go about their regular routine. The suffering can be lessened and quality of life (QoL) enhanced through the management of symptoms. Patients with cancer report significant decreases in QoL due to their symptoms. High levels of emotional distress, low levels of physical and social functioning, and a generally lower QoL have all been linked to a greater symptom load. As a result, QoL in cancer patients can be enhanced with careful symptom control [2].

Malathi and colleagues conducted a survey study among 768 Indian patients suffering from several types of solid cancer diseases. The aim was to detect the impact of cancer on patients QoL. Results showed that patients between the ages of 51 and 60 made up 30.2% of the total, and the majority of those patients had head and neck cancer (40.1%), with 57.7% having advanced stages of the disease. Most patients (82.3%) reported that their symptoms reduced their QoL, i.e., cancer disease negatively impacts their QoL [2].

A review study included 82 review articles focused on QoL of breast cancer patients published between 2008 and 2018. The aim was to expand current understanding of how breast cancer affects patients’ QoL. Overall, this review showed that the QoL of women with breast cancer has improved over the past decade. The QoL of this cohort was significantly enhanced by a number of relatively straightforward interventions, including increased physical exercise and psychosocial support. However, there are many other aspects that need to be taken into account, including the management of symptoms such as pain and lymphedema, concerns associated to worry, sexual function, especially for young patients, and future outcomes. This review also found that there has been significant progress in addressing methodological concerns related to evaluating QoL in breast cancer patients; however, there is still much work to be done before we have a complete picture of what matters most to these individuals [3].

3. Supportive and palliative care and QoL among cancer patients

A patient’s quality of life (QoL) is the primary emphasis of palliative care treatment. The importance of measuring QoL in palliative care is starting to be recognized. QoL is an open-ended concept, with a wide range of interpreted meanings and associated nuances [4].

The physical pain, emotional stress, and financial hardship caused by cancer and its treatment significantly lower the QoL of sufferers (i.e., cancer patients). As a result, in 1990, the WHO launched the palliative care (PC) project, which stands for medical care aimed at enhancing the QoL of people living with life-threatening illnesses by alleviating their symptoms. Assessment, early identification, and treatment of pain, assistance with physical or psychological problems, and spiritual support are all ways in which PC enhances QoL. Patients with cancer often keep taking medications that are no longer helping them because they fear the alternative. Patients with cancer can get the help they need and reduce their symptoms with the right PC approach [5, 6].

Amal and colleagues conducted a prospective study among 240 cancer survivors at King Hussein Cancer Center in Amman, Jordan. The aim was to determine shortage in supportive palliative care and QoL among adult cancer survivors’ QoL. Unfortunately, results showed the presence of shortage in several needs of this population, which significantly led to drop down in their QoL [7].

Another prospective study by Antoine and colleagues was conducted in mono-cancer care center in France. The aim was to determine the relationship between meeting their needs (i.e., supportive and palliative care) with both their QoL and decreased unscheduled hospital care. Authors detected that there is a direct relationship between cancer patients QoL and meeting their needs only [8].