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Adjustment to cancer in the 8 years following diagnosis: A longitudinal study comparing cancer survivors with healthy individuals

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  • Schroevers, Maya
  • Ranchor, Adelita V.
  • Sanderman, Robbert

Abstract

This longitudinal study examined the long-term impact of a diagnosis of cancer on physical and psychological functioning, by comparing 8-year cancer survivors (n=206) to a randomly selected sample of similar-aged references without cancer (n=120) in the Netherlands. Comparisons were made at three fixed points in time: 3 months (T1), 15 months (T2), and 8 years (T3) after diagnosis. The results showed that, at 8 years after diagnosis, cancer survivors and references do not differ significantly in the level of depressive symptoms, anxiety, life satisfaction, self-esteem, social support, and marital satisfaction. However, survivors reported more physical symptoms, and those with a recurrence of cancer also reported more limitations in household and social activities. Most improvements in functioning were found in the year following diagnosis. Intriguingly, we found no evidence that cancer survivors experienced more positive changes in the self, relationships, or life in general than references, even though many cancer survivors attributed these changes to the cancer experience. In the discussion, we address the role of finding positive meaning in the process of adjustment to cancer.

Suggested Citation

  • Schroevers, Maya & Ranchor, Adelita V. & Sanderman, Robbert, 2006. "Adjustment to cancer in the 8 years following diagnosis: A longitudinal study comparing cancer survivors with healthy individuals," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 63(3), pages 598-610, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:63:y:2006:i:3:p:598-610
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Bush, Nigel E. & Haberman, Mel & Donaldson, Gary & Sullivan, Keith M., 1995. "Quality of life of 125 adults surviving 6-18 years after bone marrow transplantation," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 40(4), pages 479-490, February.
    2. Kempen, G. I. J. M. & Miedema, I. & Ormel, J. & Molenaar, W., 1996. "The assessment of disability with the Groningen Activity Restriction Scale. Conceptual framework and psychometric properties," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 43(11), pages 1601-1610, December.
    3. Schroevers, Maya J. & Ranchor, Adelita V. & Sanderman, Robbert, 2003. "The role of social support and self-esteem in the presence and course of depressive symptoms: a comparison of cancer patients and individuals from the general population," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 57(2), pages 375-385, July.
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    Cited by:

    1. Yu Zhang & Hongtao Xian & Yang Yang & Xiaoxue Zhang & Xinran Wang, 2019. "Relationship between psychosocial adaptation and health‐related quality of life of patients with stoma: A descriptive, cross‐sectional study," Journal of Clinical Nursing, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 28(15-16), pages 2880-2888, August.
    2. Ranchor, Adelita V. & Wardle, Jane & Steptoe, Andrew & Henselmans, Inge & Ormel, Johan & Sanderman, Robbert, 2010. "The adaptive role of perceived control before and after cancer diagnosis: A prospective study," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 70(11), pages 1825-1831, June.

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