The Effects of Hope Promoting Interventions on Cancer Patients. A Case Study in Sanandaj, Iran, in 2007

Introduction & Cancer occurs when cells divide uncontrollably. These abnormal cells can invade nearby tissues or travel to distant sites by entering the bloodstream or the lymphatic system. Cancer Incidence rate in the last 50 years has been constantly increased. Hope is a significant factor and essential element in cancer disease treatment that has many effects on compatibility with conditions, especially in suffering and disappointing periods. Hope has a significant role in increasing the quality of life and effects different stages of the disease. The aim of this study was to increase and promote the hope factor in cancer patients. This is a controlled randomized trial study which was carried out at the chemotherapy section at Qods Hospital in Sanandaj, Iran, in 2007 on 50 cancer patients. The HHI questionnaire was used and completed both before and after the intervention on both the case and control groups (each group consisted of 25 patients). The Hope promoting intervention for patients in the case group was a face-to-face method and was individually conducted by the PBL method. There was no significant difference between the case and control group before the hope intervention promotion (p=0.78). Significant difference was found after promoting the hope intervention in the mean score of both groups (p<0.008). Mean score of the case group increased by 4.32 after the intervention. Significant difference was found between the hope mean score in the case group, before and after the intervention (p< 0.000). The hope promoting interventions were effective in increasing hope in cancer patients. So, for cancer patients, increasing the quality of life, giving educational services, and hope promoting programs are needed, which should b accomplished by suitable methods, for instance, PBL or by patients active participation in the programming process.