Socio-demographic profile of Cancer Patients Attending Radiotherapy Out Patient Department of a Tertiary Care Hospital in Kolkata: A Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

Introduction: Cancer is one of the important challenges of the health system worldwide and especially in developing countries, like India. Sociodemographic factors as well as lifestyle changes can be attributed to the rise of this disease.

Material and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in the Radiotherapy out-patient department of the NRSMC&H for a period of 1 month on 188 patients. Data collection was done using a predesigned and pretested questionnaire and history regarding socio-demographic Variables, history of comorbidity, family history of cancer in first degree relative/ Type of Cancer/s has been collected.

Results: Organ specific distribution of cancer shows that cancers were commonest in the breast (21.3%).There was a higher breast cancer rate in females (38.8%) and higher lung cancer rate in males (16.7%). Urban residents show a higher proportion of head and neck cancers (23.4%), while rural areas have more gastro-intestinal cases (19.4%). The prevalence of head and neck cancers among those with a history of addiction was 36.7%

Conclusion: Cancer in the study population was concentrated among middle-aged males of lower socio-economic status. Lifestyle factors, particularly tobacco use, a]were strongly correlated with a higher proportion of head and neck cancers. Distinct gender and geographical variations were marked in many cancer types.