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More negative emotion and symptom burden for female cancer patients

Des émotions négatives et un poids des symptômes plus importants pour les femmes atteintes de cancer

  • Original Article / Article Original
  • Published:
Psycho-Oncologie

Abstract

Background

Patients’ well-being may be affected by the cancer diagnosis. Psychological response is part of a reaction to the news of cancer diagnosis. Little published data concerns the gender difference of psychological responses to the news of cancer diagnosis and its influence on the symptom burden. The aim of the study is to verify the hypothesis that female cancer patients have more negative emotion and symptom burden, comparing to males.

Patients and methods

Two hundred and twenty-eight cancer patients were assessed by self-administered questionnaire. Psychological response was measured by the Chinese version of Mini-Mental Adjustment to Cancer scale, and symptom burden was measured by the physical symptom distress scale from the Rotterdam Symptom Checklist. SPSS 13.0 was used.

Results

Female cancer patients got higher scores of negative emotion (P = 0.003), cognitive avoidance (P = 0.001), and symptom burden (P = 0.028) than males. Patients with degrees lower than high school got lower scores of negative emotion and cognitive avoidance. Lung cancer patients got higher scores of negative emotion and lower scores of positive attitude.

Conclusion

Female cancer patients, especially those who did not go to high school and those with lung cancer, have more negative emotion and symptom burden, comparing to males. Appropriate psychological intervention for female cancer patients deserves more attention.

Résumé

Contexte

Le diagnostic du cancer peut avoir un impact sur le bien-être des patients. La réaction psychologique fait partie d’une réaction à l’annonce du diagnostic du cancer. Peu de publications abordent la différence entre les sexes en matière de réactions psychologiques à l’annonce d’un diagnostic de cancer et son influence sur la charge psychique liée aux symptômes. L’objectif de l’étude est de vérifier l’hypothèse selon laquelle les femmes atteintes d’un cancer ressentent davantage d’émotions négatives et la charge psychique liée aux symptômes, par rapport aux hommes.

Sujets et méthodes

Deux cent vingt-huit patients atteints de cancer ont été évalués à l’aide de questionnaires autoadministrés. La réaction psychologique a été mesurée par la version chinoise de l’échelle mini-MAC (Adaptation mentale au cancer) et la charge psychique liée a été déterminé par l’échelle de détresse liée aux symptômes issus de la liste de contrôle des symptômes de Rotterdam. Le logiciel SPSS 13.0 a été utilisé.

Résultats

Les patientes atteintes de cancer ont obtenu des scores plus élevés d’émotions négatives (p = 0,003), d’évitement cognitif (p = 0,001) et de charge psychique liée aux symptômes (p = 0,028) que les hommes. Les patients dont le niveau scolaire était inférieur à l’enseignement secondaire ont obtenu des scores d’émotions négatives et d’évitement cognitif moindres. Les patients atteints d’un cancer du poumon ont obtenu des scores plus élevés d’émotions négatives et de plus faibles scores d’attitude positive.

Conclusion

Les femmes atteintes de cancer, en particulier les femmes n’ayant pas suivi d’études secondaires et les femmes atteintes d’un cancer du poumon, ressentent davantage d’émotions négatives et la charge psychique liée aux symptômes par rapport aux hommes. Une intervention psychologique appropriée pour les femmes atteintes de cancer mérite une plus grande attention.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Thoracic Oncology, Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, PR China

    Z. -M. Niu & Y. -S. Wang

  2. West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, PR China

    Y. Li, X. -Y. Peng, X. -Y. Cui, Y. -K. Wu & C. -S. Liang

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  1. Z. -M. Niu
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  2. Y. -S. Wang
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  3. Y. Li
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Correspondence to Z. -M. Niu.

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Niu, Z.M., Wang, Y.S., Li, Y. et al. More negative emotion and symptom burden for female cancer patients. Psycho Oncologie 7, 175–181 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11839-013-0431-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11839-013-0431-5

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