Health self-perception associated with coping strategies in cancer patients

Abstract Objective To evaluate the association between self-perception of health, coping strategies, and the respective staging of the neoplasm, as well as socioeconomic and demographic factors. Method This is a quantitative, descriptive, and exploratory research, with 182 adults and elderly patients, guided by an psychometric, and sociodemographic instrument, and analyzed by bivariate tests. Results The elderly were more indifferent to their health, while those who consider their health to be very good are younger (p = 0.001). Participants from regions with medium human development considered themselves to be in good or very good health and those from regions with high human development declared themselves to be indifferent or to have poor or very poor health (p = 0.031). Conclusion Given these results, a more humanized multidisciplinary care, with individualized medical and psychological follow-up, redirecting thoughts, optimizing comorbidities, and enabling greater social/family support would be necessary interventions.