Cancer-related identity and positive affect in survivors of prostate cancer.
BACKGROUND
Despite a shift in the cancer culture and language used to describe individuals diagnosed with this disease, the extent to which individuals with cancer adopt a particular cancer-related identity and the impact of these identities in relation to their well-being is virtually unknown.


METHODS
Using a cross-sectional study design and a metropolitan tumor registry, a mail questionnaire to examine post-treatment quality of life was sent to prostate cancer (PCa) survivors. The sample consisted of 490 PCa survivors, ranging in age from 49-88 (M = 69.7; SD = 7.8), one to eight years after diagnosis. The outcome measure used in these analyses was the PANAS to assess positive and negative affect.


RESULTS
The most frequently reported cancer-related identity was "someone who has had PCa" (57%). The least reported self view was "victim" (1%). Twenty-six percent of men self-identified as "survivors" while 6% thought of themselves as "cancer conquerors." Only 9% self-identified as a "patient." Multivariate analyses, adjusted for potential confounders, show respondents who identified themselves as "survivors" or "cancer conquerors" reported significantly higher scores on positive affect than men who self-identified as "patients" (p < .001).


CONCLUSIONS
Although the majority of respondents identified themselves as "someone who has had cancer," identifying as a "survivor" or "someone who has conquered cancer" appears to have adaptive value for positive mood.


CONCLUSIONS
Those who perceive themselves as survivors of prostate cancer may derive some benefit in well-being associated with this self assessment.
Bellizzi
Keith M
KM
The Office of Cancer Survivorship, National Cancer Institute, 6116 Executive Blvd, Suite 404, MSC 8336, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA. bellizzk@mail.nih.gov
Blank
Thomas O
TO
D000339:Affect; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D011788:Quality of Life; D012042:Registries; D012649:Self Concept; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology*