The need of patients living with cancer for palliative care.

Background: A comprehensive assessment of patients' problems and needs is essential for all patients with chronic diseases, including cancer.

Aim: This study assesses the problems, unmet needs and requirement for palliative care (PC) among patients with cancer.

Method: A descriptive cross-sectional design was employed using a valid self-reported questionnaire.

Results: On average, 62% of patients had problems that were unresolved. The need for patients to have more information about their health was identified (75.1%), followed by financial problems because of the illness and ability to afford healthcare (72.9%), and psychological issues, such as depression, anxiety and stress (67.1%). Patients stated that their spiritual needs were not being met (78.8%), and that they were experiencing psychological distress and problems with daily living that needed to be addressed through PC (78%, 75.1%, respectively). A chi-square test revealed that all problems are significantly associated with the need for PC (P<.001).

Conclusion: Patients needed more assistance in psychological, spiritual, financial and physical domains, and this can be provided by palliative care. Palliative care in low-income countries is a human right for patients with cancer.