Prebioptic psychological characteristics of breast cancer patients.
63 women were examined the day before breast biopsy using psychological ratings, speech analysis and questionnaire testings. Ratings revealed differences (benign vs. malignant, a = 5%) in 8 of 10 scales, cancer patients being inaccessible, altruistic, suppressing feelings, rationalizing and harmonizing. The biopsy's result was predicted in 75% of all cases. Questionnaire testing showed differences in 7 of 16 scales. It proved cancer patients to be more dependent, anxious, aggressive, health-conscious, family-bound and antisexual. A discriminant analysis correctly identified 77% of cancer and 87% of benign patients. Speech analysis (Gottschalk-Gleser) revealed only minor differences: fewer aggressive and more anxious utterances from cancer patients. Conclusions are drawn for the care and treatment of breast cancer patients.
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001706:Biopsy; D001940:Breast / Q000473:pathology; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D019964:Mood Disorders / Q000523:psychology; D010556:Personality Tests; D011602:Psychophysiologic Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D011908:Rationalization; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000150:complications