Stigmatization, Discrimination and Illness Perception Among Oncology Patients: A Cross-sectional and Correlational Study

Purpose: Many individuals who get cancer may be exposed to stigmatization from their close relatives and their entourage. This cross-sectional and correlational study was conducted in order to determine stigmatization, discrimination and perception of illness among oncology patients in Northern Turkey.

Method: The sample of the study consisted of 367 inpatients who were hospitalized in the oncology and hematology clinics of a University Hospital in northern Turkey between 31.01.2019 and 30.07.2019. Data were collected using the demographics form, Cataldo Lung Cancer Stigma Scale and Illness Perception Questionnaire.

Results: The mean total score of the patients according to Cataldo Lung Cancer Stigma Scale is 30.4 ± 8.8. In this study, no statistically significant relationship was determined between Cataldo Lung Cancer Stigma Scale total score and Illness Perception Questionnaire sub-dimension scores (p > .05). It can be said that the oncology patients were exposed to stigmatization and discrimination, and that certain socio demographic and clinical characteristics such as sex, marital status, education level, employment status, diagnosis, and the clinical phase of the disease are significant predictors of Cataldo Lung Cancer Stigma Scale scores.

Conclusions: In order to help them express their feelings in oncology patients, reduce their anxiety, increase their adaptation to their illness and treatment, help them cope with the multi-faceted crisis caused by the disease and improve their quality of life, cancer stigmatization should be evaluated objectively.