Moderating Effect of Coping Strategies on Relationship Between the Type of Treatment Styles and Quality of Life Among Cancer Patients Receiving Standard Oncology & Palliative Care in Kerala

Prema Naittee George and Ganesh M P

Cancer is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in developing and developed countries alike ( Ferlay, Foucher, Tieulent, Rosso, Coebergh, Comber & Bray, 2013). The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has estimated more than 17.3 lakh new cancer cases and more than 8.8 lakh deaths due to cancer by 2020. As upsetting as the rates, are the effects of the disease on the psycho-social functioning and Quality of life of the patients. Quality of life is different for different individuals and it has to be analysed based on the type of cancer, its stage and treatment prognosis (H. Singh, Kaur, B. Singh, S. Singh &Bala R, 2014). Adapting to the illness and achieving quality of life (QoL) is also the result of the proper choice of coping strategies and its effective use. The strategies that patients employ to cope with their life situation may in turn, have an effect on their treatment, disease prognosis and their overall wellbeing (Greer, Morris &Pettingale, 1979).