MATT HARRISON PSYCHOLOGICAL FACTORS IN CANCER

WHAT IS CANCER Cancer is a set of over a hundred diseases in which abnormal body cells multiply and spread uncontrollably, instead of dying out and being replaced by new cells, they form tissue masses called tumors. Benign tumors usually aren’t a serious threat to one’s health. Malignant tumors, however, are much more of a threat as they can migrate throughout the body causing more damage to other cells. This process is referred to as metastasis.

IMPACT ON THE PSYCHE Much like the process of a tumor, the diagnosis of cancer in a certain patient causes the mind to be infiltrated and filled with negative thoughts. The word cancer is a terrifying word to hear from a doctor as it is usually associated with pain, suffering, and worst of all, death. These types of thoughts/feelings can cause the powerful onset of a number of psychological factors that tend to have an overwhelming effect on the mind.

PSYCHOLOGICAL FACTORS Diagnosis of cancer, during treatment, and even after successful treatment, cancer patients reported higher levels of anxiety, anger, hostility, and depression than their peers without a history of cancer (Straub, 2014, p. 435). And an estimated 20 to 40 percent of all cancer patients reported elevated levels of affective distress (Straub, 2014, p.435). The stressors brought on by cancer are unique to each individual and their situation. And can also have a major impact on the families and loved ones surrounding the victim.

Stress is the bodies natural response to the perception of stressors; an event or situation that triggers coping adjustments. (Straub, 2014) Continuous stress on the body can cause serious health problems such as heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, depression, and anxiety disorders. High levels of stress can be particularly difficult for cancer patients as it can cause the feeling of being overwhelmed and hopeless, making treatment/recovery much more difficult, let alone daily life. Which can lead to a decrease in overall quality of life.

IMPACT OF STRESS Living with the daily stressors induced by the diagnosis of cancer can reduce the patients quality of life as well as cooperation with treatment, rehab and recovery. Cancer can cause negativity to loom over patients head’s as most are stressed by lack of knowledge, and lack of control in terms of treatment and information that concerns their particular disease and lives.

ROLE OF PSYCHOLOGY/PSYCHOTHERAPY Psychology plays an important role in attempting to help cancer patients with prevention, during treatment phases, and post-treatment recovery. Targeting things such as: life style Stress reduction Increased positivity Reducing negativity in daily life to smooth out treatment/recovery Coping with self esteem and self image Increasing patient’s quality of life

RESEARCH ON POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGY Study 1 Archer, S., Buxton, S., & Sheffield, D. (2014) Examining effectiveness of creative psychological intervention on adult cancer patients. Study 2 Casellas-Grau, A., Font, A., & Vives, J. (2014) Examining impact of positive psychology in breast cancer patients.

ARCHER, S., BUXTON, S., & SHEFFIELD, D. (2014) The effect of creative psychological interventions on psychological outcomes for adult cancer patients: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials. This study provides a review of the effectiveness of creative psychological interventions for adult cancer patients. “Creative Psychological Interventions (CPIs) are a form of psychotherapy that use the expressive qualities of the creative arts, namely music, art, drama and dance/movement, to effect personal change with a view to increasing the emotional, social, cognitive and physical wellbeing of the individual.” (Archer, S., Buxton, S., & Sheffield, D., 2014)

ARCHER, S., BUXTON, S., & SHEFFIELD, D. (2014) The end results of this particular study reports that the CPI’s were successful in improving participants anxiety, depression, quality of life, coping, anger, stress and mood. However, few physical benefits were reported.

CASELLAS-GRAU, A., FONT, A., & VIVES, J. (2014) Positive psychology interventions in breast cancer. A systematic review. This review included 16 different studies that looked closely at the use of intervention(s) to promote positive changes in breast cancer patients. Five different types of intervention therapies: mindfulness-based approaches, expression of positive emotions, spiritual interventions, hope therapy, and meaning-making interventions.

CASELLAS-GRAU, A., FONT, A., & VIVES, J. (2014) The interventions focused on, “developing personal strengths, meaning-making, enhancing positive emotions, engagement, positive relationships, accomplishment, life satisfaction, and personal growth. (Casellas-Grau, A., Font, A., & Vives, J., 2014) Ultimately, the interventions promoted positive changes in the breast cancer participants including optimism, enhanced quality of life, hope, well- being, and benefit finding.

PSYCHOLOGY VS. CANCER As much power as the mind has over the body, unfortunately there is no way to simply “think away cancer”. However, through various forms of mindfulness training, psychotherapy, and positive interventions, greater levels of positivity can be achieved by patients and survivors. And although this may not directly cure their disease, it can help improve their quality of life and give them a sense of direction and peace of mind, therefore making everyday life a little less stressful and difficult. Psychology can help patients find joy in what time they have left, and survivors recover from a very traumatic experience and move forward with their lives, happy and healthy.

REFERENCES Archer, S., Buxton, S., & Sheffield, D. (2014). The effect of creative psychological interventions on psychological outcomes for adult cancer patients: A systematic review of randomised controlled trials. Psycho-Oncology, doi: /pon.3607 Casellas ‐ Grau, A., Font, A., & Vives, J. (2014). Positive psychology interventions in breast cancer. A systematic review. Psycho- Oncology, 23(1), doi: /pon.3353 Fact Sheet on Stress (n.d.). In National Institute of Mental Health. Retrieved March 24, Straub, R. O. (2014). Health Psychology: A Biopsychosocial Approach (4th ed.). New York, NY: Worth Publishers. What Is Caner? (2015, February 9). In National Cancer Institute. Retrieved March 24, 2015.