Published Paper Details:

The relationship between societal stigma, self esteem and cancer is complex. Societal stigma surrounding cancer can lead to negative perceptions, discrimination, feeling of shame and decrease in self esteem. The aim of the present investigation was to study the effect of societal stigma on self esteem among cancer patients. A random sample of 60 cancer patients were selected for the present investigation. Out of the total sample of 60 cancer patients, 30 were men and 30 were women. The 30 men were divided into 15 men from middle adulthood and 15 men from late adulthood and the same was done for women. The tools used for the investigation were Cancer Stigma Scale (CAAS) devised by Marlow & Wardle (2014) and Rosenberg's Self Esteem Scale (RSES) developed by Morris Rosenberg (1995). The questionnaires were administered, and the data was collected, tabulated and subjected to statistical analysis using the statistical tests for mean, standard deviation, 't' test and Karl Pearson's Coefficient of Correlation. The results showed no significant difference in the effect of societal stigma on self esteem between adults belonging to middle and late adulthood. A slight difference was found in the effect of societal stigma on self esteem between men and women suffering from cancer, women showed a higher self esteem than men. A significant relationship was noted between societal stigma and self esteem among cancer patients.