Hope of cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy

Abstract

Objective: To measure the level of hope in cancer patients at the beginning and at the end of chemotherapy treatment and verify the associated factors in the two moments. Methods: Cross-sectional study with cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Data were collected at the beginning of chemotherapy and after three/four months of the treatment, with the application of the Herth Hope Index and a characterization questionnaire. The Meann-Whitney test was used to assess statistical associations at both moments. Results: The mean score of hope was 35.8 (± 6.11) points in the first moment, and 36.1 (± 7.12) in the second. Schooling greater than eight years, absence of metastasis, curative or adjuvant treatment and mild pain contributed significantly in increasing the scores. Conclusion: The level of hope increased at the end of the treatment, but not significantly. Factors influencing this increase were higher schooling, absence of metastases, curative or adjuvant treatment and absence of moderate to strong pain.