Attitude and disposition: do they make a difference in cancer survival?

ABSTRACT

Psychosocial and spiritual factors influence a broad spectrum of medical and surgical disorders. The adverse effects of stress have been most clearly documented in cardiovascular disease. In cancer, unresolved questions include the following Do emotional factors have a causal role in either initiating or promoting a malignant process, and can they possibly accelerate the dissemination of cancer? The literature, which consists of anecdotes, case-control methods, and randomized trials, is inconsistent and beset with major methodologic problems. Psychosocial interventions can be life enhancing in sharp contrast to the guilt-ridden programs of some alternative practitioners. A social support system and an element of spirituality and religion seem to be the most consistent predictors of quality of life and possible survival among patients with advanced malignant disease.