https://researchopenworld.com/the-anger-felt-by-cancer-patients-it-could-be-an-unexpected-obstacle-to-the-treatment-path/#

Abstract

Anger is one of the possible reactions to cancer. There are mutual influences between cancer and psychological status, with repercussions on the immune system. The aim of this study was to analyze differences in the experience, expression and control of anger by gender and to measure the relationship between anger, anxiety, depression, quality of life, and progression of the disease. We have conducted a cross-sectional study assessing 281 cancer patients, using the STAXI-2, HADS and a visual analogue scale to measure Quality of Life. Females reported significantly higher State and Trait Anger scores and lower Anger Control Out scores than males. In the whole sample the anger subscale scores increased with levels of anxiety or depression. In males, high State, Trait and Expression Anger subscale scores resulted associated with low Quality of Life, among females, this relationship seems to be weak. No differences emerged on STAXI-2 scales and subscales between patients in progression of disease. Conclusions: Anxiety, depression and anger seem to be organized into a pattern of a general emotional reaction. Since immunotherapy is the anticancer treatment that increases the body’s natural defenses to fight disease, a balanced immune system has become the main concern. In conclusion, clinicians could gain important insights about their patients by looking at the result of validated self-report patient questionnaires, to identify patients with inadequate expression of emotion or too high levels of emotional reaction in order to improve quality of care and response to treatment.