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Abstract
INTRODUCTION:
Cancer is a leading cause of death (1). In 2020, 19.3 million new cancer cases were diagnosed, and almost 10 million deaths from cancer were recorded (2). Cancer survivors are projected to grow to 26.1 million by 2040 (3).
Cancer not only strains a patient's physical health but also his mental and emotional health and financial resources. It is therefore important to study the physical, emotional, mental, and financial well-being of Cancer Survivors. Assessing the effects of cancer and treatment and medical decision-making requires knowledge of QOL across age groups and cultures (4). Cancer treatments cause numerous side effects and hurt all body systems (5). The mental anguish that accompanies physical trauma may manifest as anxiety, and fear of recurrence (6).
Most cancer survivors adjust well to life after cancer but some experience persisting in a negative mood, such as cancer-related fears, post-traumatic stress, anxiety, or depression (7). Fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) is a common psychological issue. Survivors’ physical and mental well-being is negatively impacted by illness uncertainty. A study done in Karachi found that in oral and oropharyngeal cancer survivors quality of life deteriorates and this may lead to many limitations that include physiological as well as somatic (8). Most of the literature is focused on establishing factors/programs that improve the quality of life in cancer survivors. Current research on the topic indicates that such programs should include aspects such as physical activity and a proper diet, which would form the basis of lifestyle change among CRC survivors (9). The purpose of this systematic review is to summarize the existing body of literature that serves to identify the psychosocial and physical, mental, and financial problems faced by cancer patients and their families so that better and more effective programs would be aimed to provide psychosocial support to these cancer patients from an early stage of disease management.