Loss of Cathexes as a Common Psychodynamic Characteristic of Cancer Patients: An Attempt at Statistical Validation of a Clinical Hypothesis

Abstract

It is hypothesized that the cancer patient has, more often than chance alone would permit, lost a major cathexis some time before the development of the neoplasm. Certain predictions as to relative cancer mortality rates in different groups are made from this hypothesis. An examination of the statistical literature in the cancer field bears out these predictions and offers additional evidence. The possible validity of this hypothesis suggests that further investigation would be highly desirable.

Integrative Tumor Board: Glioblastoma Multiforme

“…Those who did not were found to have a higher cancer mortality rate. 3 LeShan and his colleagues also predicted that people who were forced to retire would have an abnormally high cancer rate. Studies investigating the impact of forced retirement revealed that men had the highest incidence of cancer shortly after retirement age, regardless of what that age was.…”

Response to “Attachment and Cancer: A Conceptual Integration”: A Reality Check

“…In short, I have seen no evidence in my clinical experience for either the supposition that faulty attachment is significantly instrumental in the appearance of cancer or the supposition that people with cancer can be characterized as having a repressed way of coping and behaving. 7. In any scientific field, theories are derived from an examination of experience.…”

“…LeShan 7 found that many cancer patients had experienced a profound loss of hope and of "a reason for being" before being diagnosed. The traumatic loss of a close and crucial relationship (eg, death of a spouse, divorce, children leaving the home, or loss of meaningful work) resulted in a barren outlook.…”