Predictors of Psychiatric Morbidity in Cancer Patients

BACKGROUND: A significant proportion of cancer patients experience psychiatric morbidity in association with diagnosis and treatment. If this morbidity is to be reduced, a better understanding is needed of the factors which influence adjustment to cancer. METHOD: A review of the literature was carried out to explore those factors associated with poor psychological adjustment to cancer. These are described under four heading: characteristics of the patient; disease and treatment variables; the interaction between patient and illness; and environmental factors. RESULTS: A number of risk factors for psychiatric morbidity can be identified from each of the four areas. Methodological limitations are highlighted, in particular the preponderance of cross-sectional study designs. CONCLUSIONS: Increased awareness of the risk factors for psychiatric morbidity should lead to earlier detection and more appropriate treatment. Future research should focus on those risk factors which are potentially modifiable.