Cigarette smokers’ views on their habit and the causes of their illness following lung cancer diagnosis: a clinical-qualitative study

Abstract

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: Lung cancer is the commonest malignant tumor and is increasing in incidence by 2% a year. In 90% of diagnosed cases, it is associated with tobacco product consumption. It is the greatest cause of mortality among cancer types in Brazil. Knowledge of patients’ psychological representations is needed for evaluating treatments and educating patients. The aim here was to interpret how smokers with lung cancer interpret the possible causes of their illness and to understand their perceptions regarding cigarette use. DESIGN AND SETTING: Clinical-qualitative study (exploratory, non-experimental) at the Pulmonary Disease Service, General Hospital, Universidade Estadual de Campinas. METHODS: An intentional small sample of cancer inpatients was recruited. The group was closed with 11 subjects, following attainment of data saturation from interviews. These interviews were semi-directed, with in-depth open-ended questions on interviewees’ observations, applied in a confidential setting using a tape recorder. Interviewees’ responses were categorized using qualitative content analysis and the results were assessed using interdisciplinary theoretical concepts, particularly from medical psychology. RESULTS: Six males and five females aged between 46 and 68 years who presented diverse clinical conditions were interviewed. CONCLUSIONS: A broader approach towards the psychological comprehension of such patients is needed, considering that cigarette consumption involves conscious and unconscious motivations, sociocultural and educational factors, the glamour of tobacco advertising, and problems with psychophysical dependence. Such an approach would avoid the perception among patients that the healthcare team are "inquisitors". This would lead to better adherence to treatment and better quality of life.

The Impact of Polymorphic Variations in the 5p15, 6p12, 6p21 and 15q25 Loci on the Risk and Prognosis of Portuguese Patients with Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

“…Many risk factors are known to be responsible for lung cancer susceptibility, including tobacco consumption [7], passive smoke and occupational diseases [8], [9]. Moreover, the genomic profile has recently emerged as a major contributor to lung cancer carcinogenesis [10]–[23].…”

Illness perceptions and quality of life in Japanese and Dutch patients with non-small-cell lung cancer

“…A 26 August 2010 literature search in PubMed on "illness perceptions AND lung cancer" identified 38 references, 15 of which represent empirical studies on illness perceptions proper [3,[16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29]). Excluded were papers that did not report empirical data on the topic or that reported on views of health care providers about living with lung cancer.…”

Views on treatment adherence among psychoactive substance-dependent women in the outpatient setting: a qualitative study

“…Selected topics were discussed borrowing concepts from psychodynamic psychology, commonly used in medical psychology. 21 The present study was motivated by empirical evidence suggesting that a low number of women sought specialist treatment for psychoactive substance abuse.…”