Methods of coping with neoplastic disease in men with non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer

Abstract

Only limited data evaluating coping methods in patients with bladder cancer are available in the literature. Also, it is unclear how the mental status of these patients affects their stress coping strategies. The aim of the study was to evaluate the stress coping strategies in patients with non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) and to assess the impact of sociodemographic factors, presence of anxiety and depressive symptoms and degree of sexual satisfaction on stress coping strategies. This prospective cohort study included 100 male patients qualified for control cystoscopy who underwent at least one transurethral resection of bladder tumour (TURB) procedure in the past for NMIBC and at least one control cystoscopy. The minimal follow-up period after primary TURB was 1 year. The MiniCOPE, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and the Sexual Satisfaction Questionnaire were used. The questionnaires were completed anonymously before cystoscopy in a room that provided privacy. Majority patients with NMIBC chosen adaptive strategies, with ‘accepting’ and ‘seeking emotional support’ being the most common. The choice of strategy was influenced by the severity of anxiety and depressive symptoms as well as the level of sexual satisfaction and pain sensations. Also, sociodemographic variables, such as marriage status, progeniture or the level of education played a role in strategy selection. The results of this study indicate that patients with NMIBC choose adaptive stress coping strategies. It also provides a better understanding of the impact of various aspects of mental health in patients with NMIBC on coping with stress. Each patient treated for NMIBC should undergo appropriate psychological and sociodemographic evaluation, which will allow easier identification of patients at high risk of treatment and postoperative surveillance discontinuation.