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Beliefs about causes of cancer in cancer patients

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  • Linn, Margaret W.
  • Linn, Bernard S.
  • Stein, Shayna R.

Abstract

Beliefs about causes of cancer were studied in 120 patients with late-stage cancer and compared with beliefs of non-cancer patients matched for age, sex, and hospitalization. Cancer patients consistently had less strong beliefs about causes of cancer than did the other groups, even when causes such as smoking and having pulmonary cancer were probably associated with the development of their disease. Although some correlates of beliefs were found in cancer patients' personal and social background, these were generally of minimal levels of statistical significance. Those who had been diagnosed longer believed cancer was more often inherited. The non-cancer patients' beliefs were similar to those found in a large survey of the general population. It is likely that cancer patients need to defend themselves against self-blame as a means of coping with a terminal illness.

Suggested Citation

  • Linn, Margaret W. & Linn, Bernard S. & Stein, Shayna R., 1982. "Beliefs about causes of cancer in cancer patients," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 16(7), pages 835-839, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:16:y:1982:i:7:p:835-839
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    Cited by:

    1. Lawton, Julia & Peel, Elizabeth & Parry, Odette & Araoz, Gonzalo & Douglas, Margaret, 2005. "Lay perceptions of type 2 diabetes in Scotland: bringing health services back in," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 60(7), pages 1423-1435, April.
    2. Lawton, Julia & Peel, Elizabeth & Parry, Odette & Douglas, Margaret, 2008. "Shifting accountability: A longitudinal qualitative study of diabetes causation accounts," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 67(1), pages 47-56, July.

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