Inhibition of emotional expression in breast cancer patients

To obtain a better understanding of the inhibited emotional expression ofte n reported in breast cancer patients, the authors compared 48 breast cancer patients and 49 healthy women with respect to disturbed emotional processe s (alexithymia), emotional disclosure, emotional expression, assertiveness, repression, and distress. The patient group showed significantly more ambi valence over emotional expression, more restraint, and more anxiety than th e healthy controls. No differences were found between the 2 groups in alexi thymia, expressing emotions in general, or willingness to talk with others about emotions. The image of the breast cancer patient that emerged in the study was that of a person who has conflicting feelings, with regard to exp ressing emotions, is reserved and anxious, is self-effacing and represses a ggression and impulsiveness. These findings suggest that cancer patients' i nhibited behavior is a reaction to the disease rather than a reflection of a personality characteristic predisposing an individual to (breast) cancer.