Sedigheh Ebrahimi - Department of Medical Ethics & Philosophy of Health, Shiraz Medical School, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
Nahid Foruzande - Student Research Committee, Shiraz Medical School, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
Sahar Hosseini - Student Research Committee, Shiraz Medical School, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
Majid Pakdin - Student Research Committee, Shiraz Medical School, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
Alireza Ebrahimi - Student Research Committee, Shiraz Medical School, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran

Background: Patients with cancer experience many emotional and psychological burdens asthey encounter different disease stages and receive treatments. Social support plays a crucialrole in the patients' function, emotions, and symptoms. The present study aimed to evaluate theviewpoint of adult patients with cancer about the role of social support to caring for them,describe their common social support demands, and discuss their experience differentcomponents of social support current situation that are available for older adults with cancer.MethodsSamples were selected from all adult patients hospitalized for at least ۲۴ hours in acancer referral center to receive the appropriate treatments. Among them, ۱۲ patients whoaccepted to participate in the study were interviewed using s emi structured interviews withopen ended questions Data analys i s was performed by the qualitative content analysisapproachResultsAccording to the patients’ experiences, major social support concepts could becategorized as emotional, informational, and instrumental supports. They believed that socialsupport needed to be enhanced in these three aspects, which each of them consisted of differentneeds.ConclusionP atients with c ancer are demanding social support, which could improve theirpsychological well being and their quality of life. The health care providers need to payattention to this demand, identify this need, and support the patients, properly.

Emotions; Neoplasms; Psychology; Psychosocial support systems; Social support