open access

Vol 72, No 5 (2022)
Research paper (original)
Published online: 2022-08-22
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Mental adaptation to cancer diagnosis and the health locus of control in patients undergoing treatment

Marta Kulpa1, Agata Ciuba23, Tomasz Duda1, Mariola Kosowicz4, Magdalena Flaga-Łuczkiewicz5, Beata Stypuła-Ciuba6
·
Nowotwory. Journal of Oncology 2022;72(5):275-281.
Affiliations
  1. Department of Psychology and Medical Communication, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
  2. Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology, Warsaw, Poland
  3. Department of Social Medicine and Public Health, Doctoral School, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
  4. Department of Psycho-oncology, Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology, Warsaw, Poland
  5. Dialog Therapy Centre, Warsaw, Poland
  6. Department of Cancer & Cardio-Oncology Diagnostics, Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology, Warsaw, Poland

open access

Vol 72, No 5 (2022)
Original article
Published online: 2022-08-22

Abstract

Introduction.Cancer diagnosis and treatment perspectives pose a serious emotional and behavioral burden for the patient, and require adaptation strategies to be adapted.

Material and methods.The research consisted of 569 patients aged 19 to 91 undergoing oncological treatment. The study used the mini-MAC scale to measure mental adaptation to cancer and the MHLC scale to measure the health locus of control.

Results.The strategy of anxiety preoccupation was highest in breast cancer. The strategy of helplessness and hope­lessness achieved the highest value in breast and reproductive organ cancers. The fighting spirit strategy showed the highest value in cancers of the digestive system. The positive re-evaluation strategy was the highest in cancers of the head and neck, and digestive system.

Conclusions.Patients with breast cancer and reproductive organ cancers seem to be at greater risk of developing destructive behavior, therefore extended psychological support has to be considered for these patients.

Abstract

Introduction.Cancer diagnosis and treatment perspectives pose a serious emotional and behavioral burden for the patient, and require adaptation strategies to be adapted.

Material and methods.The research consisted of 569 patients aged 19 to 91 undergoing oncological treatment. The study used the mini-MAC scale to measure mental adaptation to cancer and the MHLC scale to measure the health locus of control.

Results.The strategy of anxiety preoccupation was highest in breast cancer. The strategy of helplessness and hope­lessness achieved the highest value in breast and reproductive organ cancers. The fighting spirit strategy showed the highest value in cancers of the digestive system. The positive re-evaluation strategy was the highest in cancers of the head and neck, and digestive system.

Conclusions.Patients with breast cancer and reproductive organ cancers seem to be at greater risk of developing destructive behavior, therefore extended psychological support has to be considered for these patients.

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Keywords

cancer; illness acceptance; quality of life; strategies for coping with the disease; pain management

About this article
Title

Mental adaptation to cancer diagnosis and the health locus of control in patients undergoing treatment

Journal

Nowotwory. Journal of Oncology

Issue

Vol 72, No 5 (2022)

Article type

Research paper (original)

Pages

275-281

Published online

2022-08-22

Page views

3697

Article views/downloads

264

DOI

10.5603/NJO.a2022.0041

Bibliographic record

Nowotwory. Journal of Oncology 2022;72(5):275-281.

Keywords

cancer
illness acceptance
quality of life
strategies for coping with the disease
pain management

Authors

Marta Kulpa
Agata Ciuba
Tomasz Duda
Mariola Kosowicz
Magdalena Flaga-Łuczkiewicz
Beata Stypuła-Ciuba

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