A Study on Psychological Morbidity of Cancer Patients Post-Radiotherapy in Acharya Tulsi Research Centre of PBM Hospital Associated with Sardar Patel Medical College, Bikaner

Navdeep Singh Rajput, Dr. Meena Rao

Abstract: Background: Cancer diagnosis and treatment, particularly intensive modalities like radiotherapy, impose a severe psychological burden that is often under-assessed and under-treated, especially in resource-limited settings like India. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and determinants of psychological morbidity among cancer patients following radiotherapy. Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted at the Acharya Tulsi Research Centre, PBM Hospital, Bikaner. A total of 160 histologically confirmed cancer patients (aged 18-70 years) who had completed radiotherapy were enrolled via random sampling. Psychological morbidity was assessed using the General Health Questionnaire-12 (GHQ-12), the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and the Presumptive Stressful Life Events Scale (PSLES). Socio-demographic and clinical data were collected via a structured interview. Results: The study found an alarmingly high prevalence of psychological distress: 65% of patients scored above the threshold for significant distress on the GHQ-12. Clinical anxiety (HADS-A ≥8) was present in 90.6% of patients, and clinical depression (HADS-D ≥8) in 81.2%. The most common self-reported symptoms were anxiety (84.4%) and hopelessness (77.5%). Advanced cancer stage (Stage III/IV), poor family support, and lower socioeconomic status (Below Poverty Line) were identified as significant determinants associated with higher psychological morbidity (p<0.05). Conclusion: Psychological morbidity is pervasive and severe among cancer patients post-radiotherapy in this regional cohort. The findings underscore an urgent, unmet need for integrating routine psychological screening and structured psychosocial interventions into standard oncology care. Strengthening family support systems and addressing socioeconomic burdens are critical components of a holistic care model to improve patient outcomes and quality of life.

Keywords: Cancer, Psychological Morbidity, Radiotherapy, Anxiety, Depression, Psycho-oncology, India

How to Cite?: Navdeep Singh Rajput, Dr. Meena Rao, "A Study on Psychological Morbidity of Cancer Patients Post-Radiotherapy in Acharya Tulsi Research Centre of PBM Hospital Associated with Sardar Patel Medical College, Bikaner", Volume 15 Issue 1, January 2026, International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), Pages: 1835-1838, https://www.ijsr.net/getabstract.php?paperid=SR26131002624, DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.21275/SR26131002624