The role of psychosocial factors in the development of breast carcinoma: Part I - The cancer prone personality

BACKGROUND. The authors conducted the current study to determine whether pe rsonality predisposes some individuals to develop cancer. METHODS. The current study examined the role of personality variables in 22 24 older women recalled for assessment after routine mammography in a breas t screening program. Using a semiprospective design, subjects completed sel f-report measures of defense style, locus of control, emotional expression and control, self-esteem trait anxiety, and state anxiety and depression wh ile waiting for medical examination. Multivariate analysis of variance was used to control for known risk factor variables and to examine differences between 3 control groups (normal tissue controls, benign/cystic controls no t requiring biopsy, and benign biopsy controls) and 298 breast carcinoma su bjects. RESULTS. No differences were detected between breast carcinoma subjects and controls based on measures of mature, immature, and neurotic defense style ; locus of control of behavior; emotional expression-in, emotional expressi on-out, and emotional control; self-esteem; anxiety; or depression. CONCLUSIONS. The results of the current study found no evidence to support an independent association between these personality measures and the devel opment of breast carcinoma. (C) 2001 American Cancer Society.