Coping mechanisms of breast cancer patients in urban and rural areas

This study was conducted to determine the coping mechanism of breast cancer patients in urban and rural areas on the year 2009. Specifically, this study answered the following questions: 1. What was the profile of the respondents in terms of cancer stage, area where they live, age and religion? 2. What were the coping mechanisms of breast cancer patients in urban and rural areas? 3. Was there any significant differences in the coping mechanisms of breast cancer patients when they are grouped according to cancer stage, and area where they live? The descriptive method was employed in this study. The respondents were breast cancer patients in urban and rural areas. The tool used was accomplished using an adapted modified questionnaire validated by experts from De La Salle Health Sciences Institute. This study found out the coping mechanism of breast cancer patients in urban and rural areas. This study was conducted in Metro Manila and other provinces. The respondents included were 112 female breast cancer patients 20 years old and above, 54 were from natural areas and 58 were from urban areas. Based on the findings of the study, the following conclusions were obtained: 1. Majority of the breast cancer patients were diagnosed to have stage II cancer. 2. Cancer patients have high level of physical and psychological coping with breast cancer. 3. Breast cancer patients in urban and rural areas with stage I cancer have the high emotional, physical, psychological and overall coping mechanism. 4. Breast cancer patients in rural and urban areas have the same level of emotional, physical psychological and overall coping mechanism. 5. Majority of breast cancer patients are catholic, and some are Christians. 6. Most breast cancer patients living in urban and rural areas were 30 to 39 years old