[Acceptance of the disease in patients with lung cancer].

UNLABELLED: Lung cancer is the most common malignancy in men and the second frequent in women. Cancer is not without consequences on the life and functioning of a patient. The process of adopting the disease is based on restoring the patient's psychological balance, reduction of the emotional discomfort and self-confidence.

AIM: The aim of the study was to assess the acceptance of lung cancer in patients with this diagnosis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 73 patients treated at the Pulmonology Ward of Podkarpackie Center for Lung Diseases, Department of Clinical Oncology of Podkarpackie Oncology Centre in Rzeszów and at the Department of Chemotherapy, Radiotherapy and Oncological Surgery of Podkarpackie Oncological Center in Brzozów. Author's questionnaire and Acceptance of Illness Scale (AIS) were used in the study.

RESULTS: At the time of diagnosis 60.27% of the subjects accepted the disease, while at the time of the study 90.41% reconciled with the cancer diagnosis. The average degree of acceptance was found in 56.16% of the subjects. The respondents up to 60 years of age were characterized by a higher level of acceptance than patients over 60. The effect of age on the degree of being needed was observed, where higher average value was found in people up to 60 (p <0.05). It was demonstrated that age (up to 60) and the time elapsed since the diagnosis (up to 6 months) is significantly associated with less dependence on the others (p <0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: The time elapsed since the diagnosis led to the increased in the acceptance of the disease. The age up to 60 was characterized by higher level of acceptance and a higher degree of being needed.