Transcript Introduction to Psychology

Psycho-Oncology
Psychosocial and Behavioral
Issues in Cancer
Psycho-Oncology
 Psychosocial and Behavioral Issues in Cancer
 I. Intro
 II. Etiology
 III. Prevention and Intervention
 IV. Adjustment to Cancer
What Is Cancer?
Cancer
A set of diseases (neoplasms) in which
abnormal body cells multiply and spread
forming a tumor.
In the U.S.,
>1,000,000 new diagnoses each year
2nd leading cause of death
1 in 2 men; 1 in 3 women will get cancer
Estimated New Cancer
Cases and Deaths
What are most common and most deadly cancers?
Increasing incidence
Cancer continues to increase in incidence and
prevalence throughout the world
improved methods of diagnosis
more widespread efforts at early detection
people are living longer, giving more years for
cancer to develop
increase in cancers stemming from AIDS, exposure
to the sun, pesticides, diet, etc..
II. Psychosocial & Behavioral
factors in etiology
A. Psychosocial
Personality
Social Support
Depression
not a lot of evidence for psychosocial etiological
factor
B. Behavioral
Tobacco
Diet
Toxic exposure (e.g., radiation from sun, toxic
chemicals like asbestos, etc.)
Physical activity
Tobacco Use
responsible for 90% of lung cancers
also linked to cancers of the mouth, pharynx,
larynx, esophagus, pancreas, cervix, kidney,
and bladder
Risk Factors for Cancer
Diet
a primary factor in one-third of all cancer
deaths, (lung, colon, bladder, stomach,
rectum, breast cancer)
Reduce saturated fats, particularly animal
fats
Increase F’s & V’s (colorful diet! Soy?)
Nurses Health Study: women who consumed 5 or
more servings of fruits and vegetables were 23%
less likely to develop breast cancer
Risk Factors: Physical
Activity
Overall physical activity levels negatively
correlated with colon cancer in both
women and men
Nurses Health Study — Physically active
women have lower rates of breast cancer
than do sedentary women
III. Psychosocial & Behavioral factors
in prevention and intervention
Personality
Avoidant, repressive coping style correlated with poor
disease course
Social Support
Assoc w/ longer survival
Group support interventions
Screening techniques
Breast self-exams?
Mammography?
Stress
Animal studies (e.g., crowding, inescapable shock)
Humans?
Stress and possible effects
on cancer
Stressful events suppress:
cancer-fighting NK cells, B cells, etc.
the body’s ability to repair DNA errors
(during cell division)
Stress may also negatively impact health
behaviors and adherence to treatment
Cancer Prevention
(using skin cancer as ex.)
Consistent with the health belief model,
perceived susceptibility to skin cancer is
positively associated with intentions to
protect the skin from the sun
Peer influence is a strong factor in sunscreen
use, as are image norms for attractiveness
and style
IV. Adjusting to cancer
Distress upon diagnosis
Disruption to life… Depends on:
Type and degree of cancer
Side effects of illness and treatment
Personal factors
coping style (e.g., hardiness: challenge, commitment,
control)
social support
life-stage
Psychosocial interventions (next slide)
Psychosocial interventions
Stress management, group support:
Andersen & Golden-Kreutz (1997) — women with
metastatic breast cancer who were encouraged to
discuss their fears showed an 18-month increase in
survival
“I know it sounds crazy, but I’m glad I have cancer…”
Specific coping skills
Counterconditioning for nausea
Pain management
Coping with sexual dysfunction (e.g., postprostatectomy)