The role of psychological characteristics of the personality of patients with colorectal cancer in the timeliness of diagnosis verification and prognosis of disease outcome.

OBJECTIVE: Colorectal cancer (CRC) has become the third most commonly diagnosed type of cancer in the world. Based on the risk factors for colorectal cancer (behavior, lifestyle), it is important to better understand the behavioral and psychological characteristics of the individual associated with timely seeking medical help, coping with the extreme situation of diagnosis, and the course of the disease. This determined the purpose of the study: identify the psychological characteristics of patients with colorectal cancer associated with the stage of diagnosis verification and the prognosis of disease outcome. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Coping, quality of life, and resilience, as well as clinical and sociodemographic variables were studied in 72 patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer. The design of the study involved studying the relationship between the stage of cancer and the prognosis of the outcome of the disease, as well as the role of psychological variables in the timeliness of diagnosis and predicting the outcome of cancer. RESULTS: The stage of verification of colorectal cancer is associated with the prognosis of the outcome of the cancer; the later colorectal cancer is verified, the more unfavorable the prognosis of the outcome of the oncological disease. Escape-avoidance coping is associated with the verification stage of colorectal cancer; pronounced avoidance is associated with the late verification stage. Coping strategies such as seeking social support, positive reappraisal, risk-taking, pain intensity, and role functioning significantly influence the prognosis of colorectal cancer outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: The psychological characteristics of the personality of patients with colorectal cancer have been identified, which, by determining the behavior of patients, affect the timeliness of diagnosis verification and the prognosis of the outcome of the disease.

[The psychological factors of renunciation of antitumoral therapy by women with breast cancer (international publications review)].

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 ​​of 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.

[The psychological and environment risk factors of development of breast cancer in women residing in industrial megalopolis and rural locality].

The breast cancer hold leading position in the structure of oncological morbidity of women worldwide. The purpose of the study is to analyze contribution of psychological and environmental factors to risk of development of breast cancer in women residing in industrial metropolis and rural locality. The actuality of the study is conditioned by acquisition of new knowledge about risk factors of breast cancer. The study covered psychological factors (basic beliefs, life orientations, locus of control, coping behavior strategies, subjective assessment of quality of life, subjective age indicator, personal helplessness-independence, resilience) and environmental factor (place of urban of rural residence of women with breast cancer). The study established that in women residing in industrial metropolis the psychological risk factors are reduced indicators of basic beliefs, of quality of life and of resilience, rare application of coping strategy "Escape-Avoidance", external locus of control. Alternatively, in women residing in rural areas, psychological risk factors for breast cancer are rare application of coping strategies, reduced quality of life indicators, increased vital activity, internal level of subjective control and personal helplessness. The study results can be included in development of personalized breast cancer screening protocols and as well as considered in assessing risk of development of disease when classifying women by breast cancer risk groups.

Psychological predictors of favorable and unfavorable disease course of prostate cancer: results of a pilot study.

OBJECTIVE: The statistical data on the incidence and mortality rates from prostate cancer leave gaps in understanding the causal risk factors for the unfavorable course of the disease determined the relevance of this work, determined the purpose of the study: to identify psychological predictors of favorable and unfavorable courses of prostate cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Basic beliefs, coping, quality of life, level of subjective control, resilience, life orientation, as well as socio-demographic characteristics were analyzed in 124 men with different courses of the disease. Firstly, the psychological characteristics of men with prostate cancer with a favorable or unfavorable course were compared, and secondly, psychological predictors were identified and their contribution to the course of prostate cancer was assessed. RESULTS: It has been established that high involvement as an indicator of resilience, externality in the sphere of failures, the absence of restrictions on daily life due to physical condition, and a low value of belief about control is associated with a favorable course of the disease. The involvement of a man in his own life and ongoing events, interest in his own activities, the conviction that not all events can be controlled, as well as the localization of control outside, contribute to a faster onset of remission or stabilization of the disease. CONCLUSIONS: The psychological features determine the behavior of men with prostate cancer, including the implementation of doctor's recommendations and compliance with treatment requirements, timely visits to the doctor, taking medications, which in turn determines the course of the disease and the success of treatment.