RESUMO
The article presents analytical review of studies considering problem of patient refusal from antitumoral treatment, in particular of women with breast cancer. The analysis of main results of empirical studies describes factors associated with patient refusal from treatment. Among factors affecting decision making related to patient voluntarily refuse of treatment are toxicity of treatment (nausea and vomiting), senile age, disease stage, availability and type of medical insurance, characteristics of family status. Besides objective factors, such subjective factors as beliefs, values ââof patients are described. The deficiency of research studies concerning psychological factors of patient refusal of antitumoral treatment is established. However, patient loyalty to antitumoral treatment plays decisive role in prognosis of survival and favorable course of disease. In connection with that, studies covering such areas as psychological characteristics of personality of patients refusing of antitumoral treatment, verification of psychological factors of this voluntary refusal are required in order to organize continuum of oncological care of patients, their psychological maintenance and increasing of commitment to treatment.