Abstract
The hypothesis is advanced that the psychological stance which patients adopt in response to cancer can, in some cases, influence the course of their disease. This hypothesis is examined in the light of the author's 15-year follow-up study of women with early breast cancer and of other pertinent studies. The available evidence supports the hypothesis in respect of certain early-stage non-metastatic cancers.
MeSH terms
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Adaptation, Psychological*
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Breast Neoplasms / mortality
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Breast Neoplasms / pathology
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Breast Neoplasms / psychology*
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Breast Neoplasms / surgery
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Combined Modality Therapy
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Defense Mechanisms
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Female
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Follow-Up Studies
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Humans
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Mastectomy, Simple / psychology
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Motivation
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Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / mortality
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Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / psychology
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Neoplasm Staging
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Pilot Projects
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Quality of Life
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Reproducibility of Results
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Sick Role*
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Survival Rate