Stress coping strategies in malignant diseases among women diagnosed with breast cancer and men diagnosed with prostate cancer
Abstract
Introduction: Coping with cancer aims at the adaptation to the disease and its treatment. The study
aimed to indicate which coping strategies in cancer are used most frequently among women diagnosed
with breast cancer and men diagnosed with prostate cancer. Its other aim was to check if there are any
gender differences in the use of coping strategies.
Patients and methods: The study involved 90 patients receiving radiotherapy due to the diagnosis of
breast cancer or prostate cancer. To measure cancer coping strategies, Mini-COPE and Mini-MAC questionnaires
were used.
Results: The most frequently used coping strategies were as follows: active coping, acceptance, use of
emotional support, behavioral disengagement, turning to religion, positive reframing and fighting spirit.
Conclusions: Women diagnosed with breast cancer used venting more frequently, while men diagnosed
with prostate cancer more often than women use the strategy of self-distraction.
Keywords: breast cancerprostate cancerstresscoping with stress
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