Current Issues

Introduction When a person is diagnosed with cancer and has reached the terminal stages of his illness he undergoes the most sufferings in his life. The purpose of this study was to explore the problems faced by the terminally ill cancer patients. Materials and methods: The research approach was qualitative and the research design one-on-one interview. The study was done using semi-structured interview. The size of the sample was fifteen terminally ill cancer patients who were admitted in Holy Cross Hospice at Cochin. Thematic and narrative analysis was done. Results: The six common themes running through all the narratives were identified; Concern for physical problems, Body-image problems; Anxiety and Depression; Social withdrawal; Spiritual Problems and Desire for Hastened Death. Discussion: This article would create greater awareness among all the concerned people working with terminally ill cancer patients on what intervention strategies should be utilized to improve their quality of life, as well as, how the belief in God can help gain a more positivistic outlook towards death and the core role spirituality and the belief in karma can play in the counseling of the patients and their families. Conclusion: Cancer patients in their terminal stages undergo lots of huddles in all aspects of their life. The health professionals should have an understanding of this and include measures to relieve these problems to provide them comfort and peace.

1. Poopady A. Battling with cancer is half the fight - living life is the other half [Internet]. Benziger International Journal of Nursing Education, Extension & Research. 2025 [cited 2025 Jan 25]. Available from: https://bijneer.bbcon.ac.in/current_issue/view/7