The incidence of endometrial cancer has increased in recent years, posing a serious threat to women's health, and tends to develop at a younger age. Following endometrial cancer treatment, women traditionally have regular follow-up appointments at hospital outpatient clinics to detect recurrence at an early stage, thus improving survival and support. The transition from cancer diagnosis and treatment to a long-term, rigorous surveillance protocol is a significant source of stress for individuals. Evidence suggests that endometrial cancer survivors have long-term physical, psychological, and social needs that are not met through traditional hospital-based follow-up. Previous studies have shown that the prevalence of anxiety, depression, and psychological distress in women with endometrial cancer is as high as 43.7%, 43.9%, and 54%, respectively.
Providing holistic well-being for women with endometrial cancer requires comprehensive medical, psychological, and social support throughout the course of diagnosis. As with all cancers, women with endometrial cancer who transition from primary acute treatment to follow-up survivorship face a number of significant challenges in regaining and maintaining their health and well-being. Many lack knowledge about the risk of recurrence, long-term late side effects, and how to manage them. A study of women with endometrial cancer in Australia found that women's long-term unmet needs were largely related to their psychosocial well-being, requiring assistance to cope with the expectations of themselves or others several years after their diagnosis.
When cancer becomes a part of life, individuals may experience symptoms of post-traumatic stress and even post-traumatic stress disorder. The coping mechanisms an individual uses significantly affect both psychosocial adjustment to a cancer diagnosis and play a significant role in PTG. The use of maladaptive coping strategies has also been reported to be associated with higher levels of perceived stress.
Recognizing the role of psychosocial factors in contributing to poor health outcomes and understanding individuals' coping experiences, health beliefs, and motivational factors will help design effective interventions. It is stated that motivational interviewing may be important for individuals struggling with the physical and emotional difficulties of cancer treatment or survivorship. A systematic review and meta-analysis reported that motivational interviewing has a positive effect on various health outcomes including depression and self-efficacy in the cancer population. In addition, considering the obstacles and health difficulties that these individuals face as a result of diagnosis and treatment, the study emphasizes that motivational interviewing is a feasible intervention that can be used by various health professionals to optimize clinical outcomes in cancer patients and survivors, and helps individuals better cope with the stress they experience related to cancer and improve their quality of life. Considering the benefits of motivational interviewing on individuals diagnosed with cancer, it is predicted that the intervention planned in the study will improve coping strategies in women with endometrial cancer, reduce post-traumatic stress symptoms and increase the level of post-traumatic growth.
