A DESCRIPTIVE STUDY TO ASSESS THE MYTH, MISCONCEPTION AND STIGMA OF CANCER AMONG CANCER PATIENTS ATTENDING OPD OF A SELECTED ONCOLOGY HOSPITAL, KOLKATA

Background: Worldwide major cause of mortality and morbidity is cancer. Worldwide, an estimated 19.3 million new cancer cases (18.8 million excluding non-melanoma skin cancer) and almost 10.0 million cancer deaths (9.9 million excluding nonmelanoma skin cancer) occurred in 2020. ICMR reported that cancer sufferers in India will increase to 29.8 million in 2025 from 26.7 million in 2021. While 1,08,394 new cancer cases were diagnosed across Bengal in 2020is likely to go up to 1,21,6639 in 2025, according to projections by the Profile of Cancer and Related Factors, Bengal, released by the National Enter for Disease Informatics and Research (NCDIR) of the ICMR in Bangalore.[1] Cancer diagnosis is one of the biggest challenges and stresses for individuals; because cancer is considered a life-threatening illness.[3]