Table 1 Sample demographic and patient medical characteristics (n = 166)
Variable | f (%) | Mean ± SD | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Gender | ||||
Female | 85(51.2) | |||
Male | 81(48.8) | |||
Age | 55.91 ± 10.43 | |||
< 45yrs | 20(12.0) | |||
45-59yrs | 93(56.0) | |||
> 60 yrs | 53(31.9) | |||
Marital status | ||||
Single/Divorced | 56(33.7) | |||
Married | 110(66.3) | |||
Education | ||||
Primary/Junior School | 54(32.5) | |||
High School | 61(36.7) | |||
College | 24(14.5) | |||
University or Higher | 27(16.2) | |||
Employment | ||||
Yes | 58(34.9) | |||
No | 108(65.1) | |||
Religion | ||||
Buddhism | 41(24.7) | |||
Taoism | 96(57.8) | |||
Christian | 14(8.4) | |||
None | 15(9.0) | |||
Medical-Decision Made by a Patient Self Family Members Friends Physician Cancer Diagnoses | 135 (81.38) 131 (78.92) 65 (39.16) 113 (68.07) | |||
Colon & Rectum | 33(19.9) | |||
Lung | 12(7.2) | |||
Breast | 30(18.1) | |||
Liver | 9(5.4) | |||
Head & neck | 19(11.4) | |||
Other | 63(38.0) | |||
Cancer Staging | ||||
III | 61(36.7) | |||
IV | 104(62.7) | |||
Duration of Diagnosis | 29.11 ± 32.892 | |||
1–12 months | 81(48.8) | |||
13–24 months | 24(14.5) | |||
> 24 months | 61(36.7) | |||
Current Treatment † | ||||
Chemotherapy | 206(142) | |||
Radiotherapy | 24(14.5) | |||
Surgery | 2(1.2) | |||
Symptom Management | 8(4.8) | |||