Abstract 1429P
Background
This study examines the impact of past health events on coping with cancer. The structure of the study was based on the assumption that cancer is a source of stress resulting from the inevitable changes in previous functioning of people with cancer and while the coping strategies which they adopt may be explained in terms of the transactional theory of stress and coping (Lazarus, Folkman) and the critical life events model (Filipp). These two concepts provided the theoretical basis for the study, the focus of which was on defining the role played by antecedents (understood as an earlier experience of loss of health as a result of a serious illness) in the course of the stress transaction in cancer patients. The role of antecendens in coping with stress has only been hinted at in the literature and this role is still unclear.
Methods
121 participants were included in the study. The primary criteria for selection of participants were diagnosis of breast or colorectal cancer and treatment with chemotherapy. The participants were asked to complete a specially designed set of questionnaires which assessed their and their relatives' prior experience of loss of health due to serious illness. To interpret the answers various significant differences tests were used (Mann-Whitney, Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn's correction test) and the significance level p=0.05 was considered to be appropriate for the testing of all statistical hypotheses.
Results
Patients who have experienced a previous loss of health have more unfavourable views on cancer when faced with having to struggle with the disease. In consequence they adopt less effective coping strategies and experience stronger emotional reactions. Colorectal cancer patients are a particularly vulnerable group.
Conclusions
Among cancer patients, when planning psychological assistance, one should take into account earlier experience of loss of health, in order to introduce appropriately selected psychological interventions reducing the level of psychological stress to vulnerable groups.
Clinical trial identification
Editorial acknowledgement
Legal entity responsible for the study
The authors.
Funding
Greater Poland Cancer Centre.
Disclosure
All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.