Publication:

An observational hospital based study to compare hemoglobin level among cancer patients

Background Cancer related anemia (CRA) is a major healthcare problem. In the Indian context, these figures are likely to be higher due to the prevailing malnutrition in the general population. We have conducted this observational hospital based study on cancer patients with following objectives: 1) to assess the socio demographic profile of different cancer patients admitted at hospital; 2) to measure hemoglobin level among different cancer patients admitted at hospital on the basis of socio demographic profile and type of cancer.

Methods The registers maintained in the department of Radiotherapy were checked and those belonging to the year 2011-12 were utilized to analyze the cancer patient’s data in respect to age, type of cancer, hemoglobin level admitted in health care facility.

Results As far as distribution of Hb level is concerned among all cancer patients, 87.56% patients were having Hb level more than 9gm% and around 12.43% patients were having Hb level less than 9 gm%. Majority of patients whose Hb level was less than 9gm% were belonging to age group more than 45 years.

Conclusions It is very much evident that anemia among cancer patients is a major healthcare problem and should be taken seriously.