Assessment and acceptance of cancer in prostate cancer patients

Abstract

Background: Malignant prostate cancer is associated with many negative psychological consequences
in patients. Therefore, it is reasonable to explore intensity of the acceptance of cancer and the factors
that determine its level. This study aims to determine which types of the appraisal of illness predict the
acceptance of illness and to what extent.
Patients and methods: This study was conducted in a group of forty-five prostate cancer inpatients
for radiotherapy. The following tools measuring the appraisal of illness and acceptance of illness were
used: the Disease-Related Appraisals Scale (DRAS) by Janowski, Steuden, Kurylowicz and Nieśpiałowska-
Steuden, and the Acceptance of Illness Scale (AIS) by Janowski and Steuden.
Results: Higher levels of satisfaction with life despite the disease were associated with a lower level of
appraisal of illness as an obstacle/loss, a lower sense of harm and a greater tendency to interpret illness
as a value. Reconcilement with the disease was negatively associated with the appraisal of illness as
a threat and obstacle/loss. Self-distancing from the disease was negatively associated with the appraisal
of illness as a threat and significant situation. The overall acceptance of illness score was negatively
associated with the appraisal of illness as a threat and significant situation.
Conclusions: The appraisal of illness as a challenge and obstacle/loss was the most common predictor of
the acceptance of illness in prostate cancer patients. A greater level of appraisal of illness as a challenge
contributes to a greater level of acceptance of illness in patients. A lower level of appraisal of illness as
an obstacle/loss contributes to a greater level of acceptance of illness in prostate cancer patients.