Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 9, 2026
05:42
An Ex Vivo Model of Ovarian Cancer Peritoneal Metastasis Using Human Omentum
Published on: January 26, 2024
Scared witless about death--ovarian cancer narratives compared
Isabella A J van Duin1, Ad A Kaptein
1Medical Psychology, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), PO Box 9600, 2300, Leiden, The Netherlands, i.a.j.van_duin@lumc.nl.
Summary
Doctors
Area of Science:
- Medical Humanities
- Oncology
- Patient Communication
Background:
- Historically, cancer diagnoses were withheld from patients.
- Shifts in patient-physician communication and increased patient empowerment have influenced disclosure.
- Addressing patient anxiety surrounding death remains challenging for clinicians.
Observation:
- This study examines illness perceptions and coping strategies in ovarian cancer patients.
- A literary text, "W;t," depicting a woman with ovarian cancer, was compared with a patient's personal narrative.
- Despite differing backgrounds, both patients exhibited similar coping mechanisms for illness and death anxiety.
Findings:
- Literary and personal narratives reveal comparable patient strategies for managing cancer and end-of-life distress.
- Illness perceptions in cancer patients share common themes across diverse contexts.
- Patient narratives offer valuable insights into coping with life-threatening illness.
Implications:
- Understanding patient illness perceptions enhances clinician awareness and empathy.
- Improved understanding can lead to more effective and patient-centered cancer care.
- Medical humanities provide a unique lens for exploring patient experiences with serious illness and mortality.
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