The objective of this review was to assess the body of research in spiritually-based studies to demonstrate that connections between cancer patients and themselves, other people, and God lead to greater cancer recovery or survival rates. This review specifically looked at the prevalence and methods used to evaluate the significance of these relationships for cancer patients in enhancing their spiritual well-being. Eleven studies were ultimately included in this analysis after a thorough search of available English language literature. Findings showed that patients' ability to learn to live with cancer is significantly impacted by the common spiritual focus on connection with oneself, others, and God. Additionally, the benefits that cancer patients experienced were highlighted by the studies. The results also highlighted the benefits attained by cancer patients as a result of the actions taken in each type of connection for improved disease-coping skills.

Muscular Dystrophy is a diverse group of acquired and inherited neuromuscular conditions that cause progressive muscle wasting and weakness, with varying degrees of pain and fatigue. In some cases, cardiac and respiratory complications are involved. As a result, there is a decline in mobility which leads to slowed walking, tripping and falls with some cases requiring walking aids or wheelchairs. The aim of this study is to explore the psychological responses to the stressor of Muscular Dystrophy patients. This study employs qualitative approach which used interviews for its data collection method. The participants involved in this study are one individual with Muscular Dystrophy disease, two parents with a Muscular Dystrophy child, one Muscular Dystrophy medical specialist, two physiotherapists with Muscular Dystrophy patients and one occupational therapist with Muscular Dystrophy patients. The responses to stressor brought up by the participants are shock and denial, anxiety, anger and guilt, and depression, demotivation, and low fighting spirit. Individuals with Muscular Dystrophy and their parents respond negatively to Muscular Dystrophy disease.
Muscular Dystrophies

Introduction: Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are evolving as the leading cause of death worldwide, including in Malaysia. Changes in a socio-economic status have increased at-risk populations with NCDs. The objective of this study is to describe the prevalence of self-reported NCDs and its contributing factors in a selected low socio-economic status community in Kedah, Malaysia. Methods: A cross-sectional study with a self-administered questionnaire was done among convenience samples of 139 adults (age more than 18 years old) living in a selected low socio-economic status community in Kedah. Results: Among 139 respondents with a mean (SD) age 48.5 (13.1), there were 40.3% of respondents reported to have chronic illnesses with a prevalence of hypertension (25.9%), diabetes mellitus (21.6%), hypercholesterolemia (7.2%), chronic respiratory diseases (5.0%), heart disease (2.9%) and stroke (1.4%). The significant contributing factors of NCDs by multiple logistic regression were age, marital and working status. A person with an increase in 1 year of age has 1.05 times the odds to have NCDs (95% CI: 1.01 to 1.09, p-value=0.007). A divorcee has 3.55 times the odds compared to a married person to have NCDs (95% CI: 1.28 to 9.80, p-value=0.015). The non-working individual has 2.27 times the odds compared to working individuals to have NCDs (95% CI: 1.03 to 5.01, p-value=0.042). Conclusion: The prevalence of NCDs is high in this selected low socio-economic status community. The contributing factors are age, marital and working status.

Introduction: Cancer patients’ perception on the treatment they received is vital to determine their adherence to cancer treatment, but important data on how this variable affects posttraumatic growth (PTG) experience by cancer patients is lacking. This cross-sectional study aimed to evaluate the degree of PTG among a cohort of head and neck cancer (HNC) survivors who were within first year of diagnosis and determined the association between perception of cancer treatment received (expectation and satisfaction with cancer treatment received and the feeling about the adverse effects) and PTG controlling for socio-demographic and clinical characteristics. Methods: HNC survivors were recruited from two oncology referral centres, and they were administered socio-demographic and clinical characteristics questionnaire, the Malay version of the Cancer Therapy Satisfaction Questionnaire (CTSQ) (to assess the satisfaction, expectation and feeling about the adverse effects of cancer treatment received) and the Malay version of the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory-Short Form (PTGi-SF) (to measure the degree of PTG). Results: A total of 200 HNC survivors participated in the study. The mean total PTGI-SF score was 39.5 (standard deviation [SD] = 9.3). Greater degree of positive expectation of cancer treatment and satisfaction with cancer treatment received significantly contributed to higher level of PTG, whereas feeling about side effects of treatment was not associated with PTG, after controlling for socio-demographic and clinical characteristics. Conclusion: Incorporating psychosocial interventions (such as education on cancer treatment and counselling) into the treatment regimen may facilitate development of PTG and hence, safeguard the mental well-being of HNC patients.