Coping with breast cancer: a cluster analytic approach

The aim of this study was to generate distinct clusters of women with breas t cancer, and to evaluate differences between clusters with respect to deci sional control, psychological adjustment, and frustration expression. Thirt y-seven Stage I and 33 Stage II newly diagnosed breast cancer patients from two medical oncology clinics participated. A cluster analysis of the copin g data produced three distinct patient clusters. The primary finding was th at women from the low avoidance coping cluster were significantly better ad justed than women from the remaining clusters. Women from the low avoidance coping cluster also preferred more active involvement in treatment decisio n-making. Further research is needed to prospectively detail the mechanisms by which cognitive avoidance hampers psychological adjustment to cancer.