Predictors of changes in the course of breast cancer: the results of longitudinal study

Abstract

Objective. To investigate the predictors of changes in the course of breast cancer in a longitudinal study. Materials and methods. Women with the diagnosis of breast cancer underwent psychological diagnostics at the stage of diagnosis (n=201 at the first section of the longitudinal study, n=149 at the second section, n=94 at the third section, n=81 at the fourth section five years after the diagnosis). Methods of research: scale of basic beliefs, life orientations test, questionnaire “Ways of coping behavior”, test of vitality, questionnaire of subjective control, personal helplessness questionnaire, quality of life questionnaire. Results. Predictors of changes in the course of cancer are the basic belief “I-Image”, the level of vitality, the locus of control in relation to health, the course and stage of the disease. Conclusions. While conducting the study, it was found out that the course of the disease is associated with medical and psychological indicators. The data obtained as a result of the study are necessary for solving practical problems of increasing life expectancy and providing psychological care to women with breast cancer who are a socially vulnerable category of the population of the Russian Federation.