Patterns of expression of anger and their psychological correlates in women with breast cancer

Previous work from the Faith Courtauld Unit described an association between the diagnosis of breast cancer and an apparent tendency to suppression of anger, particularly in younger patients. A detailed study of this phenomenon has been carried out in 71 patients prior to breast biopsy, using structured interviews, the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (EPQ) and the Spielberger State—Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). Taped transcripts of interviews, independently rated, using a revised anger rating scale, again demonstrated a significant difference between patients with benign breast disease and those with breast cancer in expression of anger. Mean EPQ ‘N’ score was significantly lower for cancer patients. STAI A-State and A-Trait anxiety scores were significantly higher than standard scores for all patients other than young cancer patients. The pattern of correlation between variables differed for the two diagnostic groups suggesting (a) that cancer patients are more stressed by impending biopsy and (b) that young cancer patients are more likely than other patients to use denial in the face of stress.