Alexithymia and Cancer

Abstract

The psychological factors have been supposed as important in the pathogenesis and the course of malignant diseases. In this context the alexithymia construct of the personality may be a significant element. In our study a group of cancer patients (N=106) is examined with the 20-item Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20) and the results are compared with a control group (N=189). It is found that all cancer patients (males and females) prsesnts statistically significant scores for alexithymia (p<0.01). In the structure of alexithymia the F1 and F3 have been the most pronounced. It means that cognitive style of externally oriented, concrete thinking and the inability to identify feelings from bodily sensations are the two most characteristic spaifies of the alexithymia construct of cancer patients. The alexithymia is supposed to be in correlation with cancer disease either as in the etiologic chain or as a consequence.