1874P - Beliefs about chemotherapy in Tunisian patients newly diagnosed with cancer

Background

Patients may hold opinions about chemotherapy and cancer that may influence their decisions. We aimed to examine beliefs regarding chemotherapy (CT) and explore associated factors.

Methods

This is a cross-sectional study, conducted between January –April 2023 including 156 patients receiving chemotherapy in a day hospital. A questionnaire adapted from the BMQ (beliefs about medicines questionnaires) was delivered to patients regardless of gender, cancer site or stage, and how are under ongoing CT. We reported demographic and clinical features and beliefs about CT and evaluated correlated factors.

Results

The mean age was 53 years, 79% were female and 60% were treated for breast cancer. Forty-three per cent of patients believed that CT leads automatically to weight loss and 34% to cognitive impairment. The 3 main symptoms that patients feared were alopecia (65%), vomiting (50%) and asthenia (48%) and 40% associated the intensity of side effects to higher levels of efficacy. Patients considered that their life depended on CT in 89%, that without it they will be very sick in 53%, and that it protected their health in 55%. However, 35% were uncertain if CT was addictive, 20% thought there is no drug for CT-induced vomiting, 7% thought it is contagious and 28% believed that some plants may be more effective on cancer. After receiving CT, 60% changed their negative beliefs about it and 89% endorsed the necessity of chemotherapy. Women who were satisfied with the information given by their physicians and those who had a close relative treated with CT had stronger beliefs about the necessity of chemotherapy (p=0,01). However, the advanced-stage, questionnaire before chemotherapy initiation, gender and socioeconomic level did not impact patients’ beliefs about CT.

Conclusions

Providing better interpersonal communication with patients may increase patients’ belief in chemotherapy. Oncology nurses could help advocate for tailored educational programs to support informed decision-making regarding chemotherapy acceptance.

Clinical trial identification

Editorial acknowledgement

Legal entity responsible for the study

M. Nesrine.

Funding

Has not received any funding.

Disclosure

All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.