Media type: E-Article Title: Impact of cancer on Moslem patients in Morocco Contributor: Errihani, Hassan; Mrabti, Hind; Boutayeb, Saber; El Ghissassi, Ibrahim; El Mesbahi, Omar; Hammoudi, Mohamed; Chergui, Hanaa; Riadi, Ahmed Published: Wiley, 2008 Published in: Psycho-Oncology, 17 (2008) 1, Seite 98-100 Language: English DOI: 10.1002/pon.1200 ISSN: 1057-9249; 1099-1611 Origination: Footnote: Description: AbstractBackground: The study aims to determine the impact of cancer on Moroccan patients of Moslem faith.Method: Patients included a convenience sample with histological confirmed cancer. Cases with cerebral metastasis or lacking capacity were excluded. Participants were assessed prospectively using a questionnaire covering epidemiological and socio‐economic characteristics, religious affiliation, repercussions of disease on religious beliefs and practices.Results and conclusions: One thousand and six hundred patients (median age 49 years) were approached; 41% females and 74% from rural areas. There was a high rate of illiteracy (38%) and only 7% had higher education. Seventeen per cent were divorced, among whom 41% were divorced after diagnosis of cancer. Eighty‐seven per cent had no medical insurance. All were Muslims; 49% practising believers and 51% non‐practising. In the first group cancer represented a divine test that permitted acceptance of the disease. In the second group of ‘non‐practising believers’, patients reported a feeling of culpability and 95% of them started taking up religious practices, often with extremism and sometimes in contradiction of medical advice. In both groups new behaviours were noticed; 450 women now wore the ‘Hijab’ (scarf), 19% used popular medicine and plants in their diet recommended by the Koran.While these results require replication they indicate changes in behaviour by those within the Moslem faith following a cancer diagnosis. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.