ESTRUCTURA DE PERSONALIDAD EN PACIENTES CON CANCER DE SENO (IV). DEPRESION Y CANCER: UNA COMPARACION

Carrying on with a series of programmed investigations concerning psychology and cancer, 20 patients with breast cancer were studied compared to a group of 20 depressive neurotic women with hypochondriacal traits, who belong to the same socio economic status. Statistically significant differences were found between the 2 groups. In the cancer group patients, there was a fantasy of a martyr mother and the shadowy rememberance and fantasy of an extremely poor early feeding. In the same way, a more massive phobic hysteric repression was found in the patients with neoplasia, as well as less capacity to play, socialization and interpersonal relationships. The adaptive reaction of adolescence was dangerously quiet in the cancer group; their life pattern was passive. Schooling and work were poorer. There was also less assertivity and less secondary gain out of symptoms. Losses and their relationship with the triggering of symptoms were equivalent in both groups. A comparison is made between the hypochondriacal 'pride' of control patients and the minimization and submission found in women with cancer. A comparison of hypochondrial depression and neurosis is made, while neoplastic somatization is equated with schizophrenic outburst. A relation is made between the disgust and rejection brought on by cancer and the repulse of the anal; similarly, it is considered that there are points of contact with the schizophrenic patient's acceptance of his psychotic role and the acceptance of defeat in the cancer patient, which makes her prognosis even worse. Emphasis is made on the need of further investigations.