ERIC Number: EJ814739
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2005-Nov
Pages: 9
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1328-4207
EISSN: N/A
Relationship between Psychological Factors and Cancer: An Update of the Evidence
Edelman, Sarah
Clinical Psychologist, v9 n2 p45-53 Nov 2005
There is a widely held perception that cancer is influenced by psychological factors, and that both the onset and progression of the disease are affected by factors such as stress, depression, social isolation and coping style. This article reviews the evidence for the mind-cancer link. Although hundreds of studies have reported on this issue, much of the research has been undermined by methodological weaknesses such as small sample size and failure to control for confounding factors. Many studies have failed to find any association between psychological factors and cancer, and findings of even the high quality studies have been inconsistent. To date there is insufficient evidence to conclude that psychological factors play a significant and direct role in disease processes in cancer.
Descriptors: Cancer, Coping, Social Isolation, Psychology, Depression (Psychology), Psychological Patterns, Influences, Stress Variables, Research Methodology, Social Support Groups, Marital Status, Stress Management, Personality Traits
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A