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Supportive Care in Cancer
Published in: Supportive Care in Cancer 2/2011

01-02-2011 | Original Article

Transitoriness in cancer patients: a cross-sectional survey of lung and gastrointestinal cancer patients

Authors: Maya Shaha, Vinciya Pandian, Michael A. Choti, Eden Stotsky, Joseph M. Herman, Yasmin Khan, Carol Libonati, Timothy M. Pawlik, Richard D. Schulick, Anne E. Belcher

Published in: Supportive Care in Cancer | Issue 2/2011

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Abstract

Objective

Despite earlier diagnosis and advancements in treatment, cancer remains a leading cause of death in the world (13% of all deaths according to the World Health Organization) among men and women. Cancer accounts for approximately 20% of the deaths in the USA every year. Here, we report the findings from a cross-sectional survey of psychosocial factors in lung and gastrointestinal cancer patients. The aim of the study was to explore the associations among transitoriness, uncertainty, and locus of control (LOC) with quality of life. Transitoriness is defined as a person’s confrontation with life’s finitude due to a cancer diagnosis.

Methods

A total of 126 patients with lung or gastrointestinal cancer completed eight self-reporting questionnaires addressing demographics, spiritual perspective, symptom burden, transitoriness, uncertainty, LOC, and quality of life.

Results

Transitoriness, uncertainty, and LOC were significantly associated with one another (r = 0.3267, p = 0.0002/r = 0.1994, p = 0.0252, respectively). LOC/belief in chance has a significant inverse relationship with patients’ quality of life (r = −0.2505, p = 0.0047). Transitoriness, uncertainty, and LOC were found to have a significant inverse relationship with patients’ quality of life (transitoriness state: r = −0.5363, p = 0.0000/trait: r = −0.4629, p = 0.0000/uncertainty: r = −0.4929, p = 0.0000/internal LOC: r = 0.1759, p = 0.0489/chance LOC: r = −0.2505, p = 0.0047).

Conclusion

Transitoriness, uncertainty, and LOC are important concepts as they adversely influence patients’ quality of life. Incorporating this finding into the care of cancer patients may provide them with the support they need to cope with treatment and maintenance of a positive quality of life.
Footnotes
1
The subscale ‘chance LOC’ measures the extent to which patients believe their health and illness situation is due to luck and chance [8].
 
2
There was a passage in the standard consent form employed by the Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions that the participant’s general/family practitioner outside the hospital may be informed of health care data if requested. For the African American people, this particular passage was unacceptable, and no satisfactory alternative could be found.
 
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Metadata
Title
Transitoriness in cancer patients: a cross-sectional survey of lung and gastrointestinal cancer patients
Authors
Maya Shaha
Vinciya Pandian
Michael A. Choti
Eden Stotsky
Joseph M. Herman
Yasmin Khan
Carol Libonati
Timothy M. Pawlik
Richard D. Schulick
Anne E. Belcher
Publication date
01-02-2011
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
Supportive Care in Cancer / Issue 2/2011
Print ISSN: 0941-4355
Electronic ISSN: 1433-7339
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-010-0815-z

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