Assessment of the level of mental adjustment to life with thyroid cancer – part one

Introduction
The diagnosis of cancer completely changes the life and functioning of a sick person. Like any chronic disease, it has long-term consequences that reduce the quality of life.

Aim of the study
To determine the level of psychological adaptation to the life of people with thyroid cancer.

Material and methods
The study was conducted in the General and Endocrinological Surgery Clinic of the Provincial Specialist Hospital in Łódź, among 100 patients, including 50 with newly diagnosed thyroid cancer and 50 with recurrent thyroid cancer. The self-conducted questionnaire, a standardised Mini-MAC questionnaire (Scale of Psychic Adjustment to Disease) and the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) were used to conduct the research.

Results
Among the respondents there were more women – 64%, including 35% with newly diagnosed cancer, and 29% were women who had become ill once again. The largest group of respondents were people aged 36 to 50 years, comprising 39%, including 21% with recurring cancer, and 18% with newly diagnosed cancer. Among all respondents, both the newly diagnosed and the recurrent, the most frequently chosen reaction to the disease was „fear and fear”.

Conclusions
People with newly diagnosed thyroid cancer respond to the disease with a positive attitude and a desire to seek information, whereas people with recurrent thyroid cancer react with negative attitudes. A higher level of constructive adaptation was observed in people with newly diagnosed disease. A higher level of adaptation to the disease increases the assessment of life satisfaction of people with newly diagnosed thyroid cancer and its recurrence.