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

I. Ponomareva, Y. Pakhomova, D. Tsiring, E. Sergienko

Laboratory of Psychophysiology of the National Research Tomsk State University, Laboratory of Psychophysiology, Tomsk, Russia. pkhmv_yn@mail.ru

---

• Oncology
• Psychology

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.

Free PDF Download