Research on the psychological characteristics of cancer long-term survivors

Abstract

Objective To explore the psychological characteristics of cancer long-term survivors. Methods One hundred and fifty one cancer long-term survivors( survival time ≥5 years) were chosen for participation from Guangzhou and Shenzhen by the coin method in this study. The qualitative data of the patients' psychological characteristics were collected by individual interviews, and the patients' behavioral and psychological characteristics were measured by the Tumor Psychological Scale(TPS), the Cancer Coping Modes Questionnaire(CCMQ)and the Psychological Adjustment Scale for Cancer Patients(PASCP). The psychological characteristics of the 151 cancer long-term survivors were compared with the average level of cancer patients(over 557 patients). Quantitive data were analyzed by two independent samples' t-test. Results (1)Most cancer long-term survivors knew their diagnosis in two weeks after they were diagnosed.The cancer long-term survivors were better in mentality and got more social supports. Most long-time survivors attributed their success to good psychological well-being and positive treatments. (2) The TPS scores of cancer long-term survivors group(1.99±0.45, 1.68±0.51, 1.33±0.32, 1.87±0.44, 1.78±0.41 respectively) were lower than the scores of the average level of cancer patients(3.06±2.12, 3.08±2.03, 2.86±2.08, 3.02±2.06, 2.98±1.75 respectively) in the dimensions of personality, emotion, unconscious, cognition and the total average score.The differences were significant statistically(P<0.01). The CCMQ scores of cancer long-term survivors group were higher than the scores of the average level of cancer patients in the dimension of confrontation and catharses. In the dimensions of avoidance and suppression, resignation and fantasy, the scores of cancer long-term survivors group were lower than the scores of the average level of cancer patients. All the differences were significant statistically (P<0.05 ). The PASCP scores of cancer long-term survivors group were higher than the scores of the average level of cancer patients in the dimension of emotion/ self-esteem, subjective feeling, interpersonal relationship/social life, the daily life and the other.The differences was significant statistically(P<0.001). Conclusion There are common characteristics of cancer long-term survivors such as good mental health state, lower tumor psychological level, positive coping styles, getting better psychological adjustment. Key words: Cancer; Long-term survivors; Psychological characteristics