Factors associated with self-care in adults with cancer receiving oral anticancer agents: A sex-stratified Bayesian analysis

Purpose This study aims to assess self-care (SC) levels in Italian cancer patients receiving Oral Anticancer Agents (OAAs) and to identify their predictors, stratified by sex. Methods This is a cross-sectional analysis involving 518 cancer patients treated with OAAs across five Italian oncology centres. Sociodemographic, clinical, and psychosocial data (e.g., self-care, self-efficacy, social support, depression, patient-centredness, mutuality) were collected using validated instruments. Bayesian t-tests and sex-specific regression models were performed. Results Among 518 cancer patients treated with OAAs, men had significantly higher SC management scores than women, while no significant sex differences were found in SC maintenance or monitoring. In men, self-efficacy, mutuality, and depressive state strongly predicted self-care domains. In women, self-efficacy and perception of centrality were key predictors. Conclusion Self-efficacy plays a key role in promoting SC behaviour in cancer patients under OAA. However, relational and perceptual factors - such as centrality, mutuality and social support - play a complementary role, modulated by sex and stage of the SC process. Such evidence suggests the usefulness of personalized interventions that enhance the psycho-social dimension and sex differences in promoting SC.