title: Stress of routine follow-up in colorectal cancer operated patients.
abstract: Postoperative follow-up is the logical consequence of cancer treatment, but colorectal cancer follow-up does not achieve all its goals. These unfavourable findings induced us to assess whether follow-up also causes negative psychological stress in our colorectal cancer patients. In this trial 100 colorectal cancer follow-up patients were asked to compile three questionnaires: 1) the McGil Pain Questionnaires; 2) Profile of Mood Status; and 3) Locus of Control. The questionnaires were handed to the patients at follow-up and were compiled immediately. In addition, the patients were asked to answer the firsts two tests spontaneously 30 days after follow-up and mail the questionnaires. Our results showed that only 41% of the patients complied the tests 30 days after follow-up. The scores for pain and mood disorders were greater in women, especially during the "before follow-up" period. The third test revealed a prevalence of subjects with internal-type reinforcement. Our data revealed that: 1) patients tend to repress the problem; 2) women are affected by greater stress and anxiety; 3) subjects with internal-type reinforcement have a positive attitude during follow-up and this enables the ego to bear the anguish, process it and dilute it to anxiety, thus favouring future life experiences.
authors.affiliation: First Surgical Clinic, University of Catania.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Li Destri
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sapienza
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rodolico
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Di Cataldo
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Puleo
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Minutolo
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Aguglia
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Licata
mesh_terms: D000339:Affect; D000368:Aged; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000523:psychology; D012737:Sex Factors; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000209:etiology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires