The acceptance of illness in lung cancer patients before and after surgical treatment

Summary: Lung cancer is the most common malignant tumor in the world, as well as one of the cancers with the most fatal prognosis. The acceptance of the disease is the most important element of the adaptive process. The better the illness acceptance, the lower the stress level and the higher the self-esteem, which facilitates the adaptation to the health status. Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the acceptance of the disease in patients before and after lung cancer surgery. Materials and methods: The study was conducted in 2016 at the Center of Oncology in Bydgoszcz and the Kuyavian and Pomeranian Pulmonology Center in Bydgoszcz. The study involved 87 patients who were assessed both before and after lung cancer surgery. The original questionnaire, as well as the Acceptance of Illness Scale, were used. Results: Men accounted for 75% of the probands, 65% of the study population were 50-69 years old. The highest number of patients – 25 (28.7%) had a 5-pack-year history, and the lowest amount of patients – 8 (9.2%) had a 2.5-pack-year history. The level of acceptance of illness before and after surgery differed in 58 persons. In 29, the level of acceptance remained the same, in 45, the level of acceptance decreased, and in 13 – it increased. Before surgery, the mean acceptance of illness score was 26.2 points, and after surgery – 20.89 points. The patients both after and before surgery had acceptance of illness scores regardless of their gender, age, education, place of residence or occupational activity. Conclusions: In more than a half of the patients, the acceptance of illness decreases after surgery and is at an average level. Male patients, patients aged 50-69 years, with primary, middle or vocational education, employed persons show a significantly worse illness acceptance, regardless of their place of residence, and occupational activity do not influence the acceptance of the disease.