Abstract
Background: Living with chronic blood cancer can cause significant psychosocial challenges, especially in low- and middle-income countries with limited healthcare access. Compared to solid tumours, blood cancer patients experience higher rates of anxiety and depression, which are exacerbated for those with chronic blood cancers due to disease uncertainty. Without proper support, these psychological struggles can lead to a poor quality of life, underscoring the importance of identifying the psychosocial burdens and coping mechanisms among adults undergoing treatment.
Method: The study utilized descriptive phenomenology qualitative design to investigate the experiences of adults receiving treatment for chronic blood cancers at a public tertiary facility in Ghana. Individual face-to-face interviews were conducted using a semi-structured guide with participants purposively sampled from the haematology outpatient department between July and September 2024, reaching data saturation with the 10th participant. Data was audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. The data were analysed using a thematic analysis approach.
Results: Participants were aged 25 to 65+ and had lived with the chronic types of common blood cancers, chronic myeloid leukaemia, chronic lymphoid leukaemia, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and myeloma for one to five years and above. Three main themes emerged from the data, (1) initial response to diagnosis (2) impact of the disease, and (3) coping strategies. The key findings revealed that despite some informal support and adaptation efforts, the journey remains distressing, with some individuals considering suicide.
Conclusion: Findings revealed that the cancer journey is emotionally taxing, with some individuals contemplating suicide despite informal support and personal adaptation efforts. Distress persisted from diagnosis through treatment and often extend to their family members, disrupting their role as primary support providers.
Nursing Implications: The study highlights the need for routine screening for psychosocial distress and open discussions on self-care and coping mechanisms for adults receiving treatment for chronic blood cancers. Nurses and other healthcare professionals should provide formal social support and counselling to patients and their families and refer severe cases to mental health professionals. Additionally, nurses can advocate for socio-economic support for adults with chronic blood cancers.
Notes
References:
1. Brett, J., Henshall, C., Dawson, P., Collins, G. P., Ehlers, A., Mitchell-Floyd, T., Aspinall, A., Gilmour-Hamilton, C., Robinson, K., & Watson, E. (2023). Examining the levels of psychological support available to patients with haematological cancer in England: a mixed methods study. BMJ open, 13(2), e060106.
2. Du, M., Chen, W., Liu, K., Wang, L., Hu, Y., Mao, Y., Sun, X., Luo, Y., Shi, J., & Shao, K. (2022). The global burden of leukemia and its attributable factors in 204 countries and territories: Findings from the Global Burden of Disease 2019 Study and Projections to 2030. Journal of oncology, 2022.
3. Pérez Segura, P., Enrech Frances, S., Juez Martel, I., Perez Escutia, M. A., Hernández Agudo, E., Leon, L., Corradi, G., Olivera Pérez Frade, H., Sánchez Escamilla, F., & Baselga Lopez, M. (2021). Development of the Anxiety, Depression and Coping (ADAF) screening tool for emotional and coping problems in cancer patients. Psycho oncology, 30(11), 1894-1901.
4. Waddington, F., Amerikanou, M., Brett, J., Watson, E., Abbots, V., Dawson, P., & Henshall, C. (2023). A systematic review to explore the effectiveness of physical health and psychosocial interventions on anxiety, depression and quality of life in people living
Sigma Membership
Chi Omicron
Type
Poster
Format Type
Text-based Document
Study Design/Type
Phenomenology
Research Approach
Qualitative Research
Keywords:
Stress and Coping, Sustainable Development Goals, Chronic Blood Cancers, Psychosocial Distress, Self-care, Ghana
Recommended Citation
Koranteng, Dinah Asantewah; Ohene, Lillian Akorfa; Adjorlolo, Samuel; and Nartey, Yvonne, ""It is Not Easy": The Psychosocial Distress of Ghanaian Adults Living With Chronic Blood Cancers" (2025). International Nursing Research Congress (INRC). 126.
https://www.sigmarepository.org/inrc/2025/posters_2025/126
Conference Name
36th International Nursing Research Congress
Conference Host
Sigma Theta Tau International
Conference Location
Seattle, Washington, USA
Conference Year
2025
Rights Holder
All rights reserved by the author(s) and/or publisher(s) listed in this item record unless relinquished in whole or part by a rights notation or a Creative Commons License present in this item record.
Review Type
Abstract Review Only: Reviewed by Event Host
Acquisition
Proxy-submission
"It is Not Easy": The Psychosocial Distress of Ghanaian Adults Living With Chronic Blood Cancers
Seattle, Washington, USA
Background: Living with chronic blood cancer can cause significant psychosocial challenges, especially in low- and middle-income countries with limited healthcare access. Compared to solid tumours, blood cancer patients experience higher rates of anxiety and depression, which are exacerbated for those with chronic blood cancers due to disease uncertainty. Without proper support, these psychological struggles can lead to a poor quality of life, underscoring the importance of identifying the psychosocial burdens and coping mechanisms among adults undergoing treatment.
Method: The study utilized descriptive phenomenology qualitative design to investigate the experiences of adults receiving treatment for chronic blood cancers at a public tertiary facility in Ghana. Individual face-to-face interviews were conducted using a semi-structured guide with participants purposively sampled from the haematology outpatient department between July and September 2024, reaching data saturation with the 10th participant. Data was audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. The data were analysed using a thematic analysis approach.
Results: Participants were aged 25 to 65+ and had lived with the chronic types of common blood cancers, chronic myeloid leukaemia, chronic lymphoid leukaemia, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and myeloma for one to five years and above. Three main themes emerged from the data, (1) initial response to diagnosis (2) impact of the disease, and (3) coping strategies. The key findings revealed that despite some informal support and adaptation efforts, the journey remains distressing, with some individuals considering suicide.
Conclusion: Findings revealed that the cancer journey is emotionally taxing, with some individuals contemplating suicide despite informal support and personal adaptation efforts. Distress persisted from diagnosis through treatment and often extend to their family members, disrupting their role as primary support providers.
Nursing Implications: The study highlights the need for routine screening for psychosocial distress and open discussions on self-care and coping mechanisms for adults receiving treatment for chronic blood cancers. Nurses and other healthcare professionals should provide formal social support and counselling to patients and their families and refer severe cases to mental health professionals. Additionally, nurses can advocate for socio-economic support for adults with chronic blood cancers.
Description
This study highlights the severe psychosocial distress faced by adults with chronic blood cancers in low-resource settings, specifically Ghana. Using a qualitative approach, it found that patients experience shock, fear, and suicidal thoughts due to their diagnosis and treatment struggles. Findings underscore the need for routine distress screening, coping and socio-economic resources. Nurses are essential in providing emotional support and advocating for mental health care for these patients.