Stress in patients submitted to drug therapy

Objective: evaluating the level of stress in oncology patients receiving anticancer treatment; which stressors are referring to this situation and examining the relationship of the same with sociodemographic variables and oncologic disease. Method: a descriptive, exploratory study, quantitative, performed in an oncohematology ward of a private hospital of large size, located in Sao Paulo. There was used a form containing sociodemographic information and instrument for the assessment of stress (Inventory Lipp Stress Symptoms). Results: most of the female participants (56,0%), aged 41-50 years old (34,0%) had gastrointestinal cancer (31,0%), 78,0% of patients had stress, and nausea and alopecia side effects most cited, both with 16,0%, making it the biggest stressors under treatment. Conclusion: a significant proportion of patients suffered from stress. Thus, it is essential to monitor the nursing for cancer patients so they can better cope with the disease and treatment.