Evaluation and prevention of maladaptive reactions in patients with gynaecological cancer: an experimental study of the expression of emotional experience

Abstract

Introduction: the prevention and the early diagnosis in the treatment of breast cancer represents the main type of intervention able to change the course of the disease. The aim of the study is to highlight the peculiarities of the experience of cancer diagnosed inpatients. Materials and methods: through the content analysis the authors have examined, by performing chisquare test, 25 free content verbal reports of patients suffering from gynaecological cancer and 25 reports of patients with non-tumour disease, all in-patients in the same specialised department. Results: in the oncological patients group the results have showed the greatest frequency on emotional disorder and specific behaviour read as an expression of extended defensiveness and frequent references to the family members, in particular to the spouse and children (p<0.05). The two studied groups have in common the feelings of insecurity and the desire to obtain information about the disease. Shortly, the behaviours found in oncological patients can be traced back to the initial reaction of rejection and isolation, accompanied by an indirect request for contact with the family members. The content analysis has not disclosed the differences in the two groups about the perception of the treatment and health facilities ought to welcome the ill person. Discussion: the evaluation of the verbal reports can be the starting point to highlight and operate in any emotional disorder and maladjusted reactions which can further reduce the subjective wellbeing of the patient, compromising the adherence to the therapy and further debilitating, reducing the physical reaction against the neoplasia.