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Query: UMLS:C0277787 (stigma)
 13,352 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

A self-rating measure of stigma and several supplementary questions were devised in order to assess perceived stigma in a community survey of the quality of life in 420 rectal cancer patients, of whom 265 had a permanent colostomy. Half the patients felt stigmatised, higher proportions being observed among younger patients and among those with a colostomy. Feelings of stigma were associated with poor health, particularly emotional disorders, with the presence of other medical problems, and with disablement. Patients who perceived stigma made more use of medical services but were less satisfied with them, particularly with regard to communication with health professionals. Socio-economic factors, such as employment status, higher income, and higher social and housing class, did not protect patients against feeling stigmatised by cancer or by colostomy. Most patients, with or without stigma, enjoyed close relationships with intimates, but the stigmatised were more likely to have withdrawn from participation in social activities. Assessing stigma by self-rating gives information which adds to that obtained by the usual methods of assessing quality of life.
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PMID:Stigma in patients with rectal cancer: a community study. 651 80

This study aimed to explore how individuals recovered and adapted following surgical resection of their rectal cancer and the syndrome that occurs as a consequence of this operation. This syndrome, 'anterior resection syndrome', consists of frequency, urgency, fragmentation and incontinence of faeces, and is thought to occur in 90% of patients who have received this type of surgery. Little qualitative research has been undertaken in this area, and this study adds to current quality of life data and explores supportive care strategies that nurses could use to assist patients. This study uses a grounded theory approach and in-depth interviews to explore patient's experiences. Participants were recruited from a cancer unit within the UK. Participants were recruited from a total population sample of 27 patients who had received surgery from 2001 to 2002. Following eligibility criteria to exclude those who had disease progression, seven patients were identified 1 year following surgery. Interviews were used to explore the experience of the syndrome. Three categories were identified: adapting to the physical changes, psychological adaptation and stigma. A secondary theme, running throughout all these categories, was the feeling of confidence and normality. Although the physical changes were expected as a consequence of surgery, most participants described the difficulty in controlling and managing symptoms in their period of recovery. Developing a philosophical stance was important in managing the lack of control and returning to perceived normality, despite the social stigma of bowel problems. Information on a range of strategies to manage physical symptoms is helpful in providing supportive care. Understanding that patients often rely on inappropriate strategies for management and are reluctant to discuss symptoms is important. The specialist nurse has a role in providing supportive care in managing chronic symptoms following cancer treatment.
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PMID:A qualitative study of anterior resection syndrome: the experiences of cancer survivors who have undergone resection surgery. 1688 20