Cancer stigma among the caregivers of cancer patients, a cross-sectional study from a secondary care hospital in Andhra Pradesh, South India

Background: The burden of cancer is growing globally, with rising rates of incidence and mortality.  Given the increasing Cancer rates in India, understanding the burden of cancer on patients and their caregivers is important to improving access to care and social support as it is considered one among the potential barriers to care and support.
Objective:  The study was intended to assess the cancer stigma among the primary caregivers of patients diagnosed with cancer and to determine the association between the cancer stigma and the selected demographic variables.
Methodology: Using quantitative approach, a descriptive study was undertaken for a period of one month. A total of 54 primary caregivers of patients diagnosed with cancer were recruited using total enumeration sampling technique. Data was collected using self-administered questionnaire consisting of demographic profile and cancer stigma scale (CASS) from the primary caregivers of cancer patients.
Results: Levels of stigma were low but varied across the six sub scales. Items related to the severity of cancer diagnosis attracted the highest levels of disagreement (mean – 12.9 and SD – 7.0). More number of subjects agreed that getting cancer is not related to personal responsibility (mean – 8.7 and SD – 5.8).  Most of them agreed that there should not be financial discrimination for patients diagnosed with cancer and banks, insurance companies should support treatment (mean – 8.5 and SD – 4.7).
Conclusion: Caregivers of cancer patients have low levels of stigma however, majority of the subjects agreed for the statements that more government funding should be spent on the care for people with cancer and insurance companies to reconsider a policy if someone has cancer.