PSYCHOSOCIAL STUDY ON HONG-KONG CHINESE WITH GYNECOLOGICAL CANCER

Psychosocial support and adjustment to cancer in 115 Chinese patients with gynecological malignancies were studied by interviews using semi- structured and structured questionnaires before commencement of treatm ent. Ninety per cent of patients had emotional support with 72% coming from family members, while 77% of the patients said that they were cl early informed of their diagnosis. The majority of our patients (63%) did not wish to see a counsellor. Psychological outcome of the patient s was good, with less than 21% having expression of anxiety or depress ion. Social adjustment was less favorable; 42% of women had a reductio n in leisure activity. The majority of married couples maintained a go od marital relationship even though 78% had reduction or cessation of their sexual activity. Good emotional support was associated with fewe r neurotic symptoms. Though there was no statistical significance demo nstrated, the good psychosocial support and the favorable psychologica l outcome in this group of patients indicated the likelihood of a posi tive relationship between the two.