In Search of Variables Affecting Mental Adjustment and Acceptance of Cancer among Urological Patients

Background/Objectives: Genitourinary cancers are now considered a major problem in modern medicine. In urological oncology, the most frequently occurring diseases are prostate, bladder and renal cancer. Any cancer has a profound effect on the life of a patient. Therefore, disease acceptance and mental adjustment to the condition are the key elements in coping with cancer. Aim: The main aim of the study was the determination of the level of acceptance of illness and mental adjustment to cancer in urological patients undergoing surgical treatment and the assessment of the effect of mental adjustment on disease acceptance. Material and Methods: The study group comprised 150 patients treated at the Department of Urology and Urological Oncology at the Independent Public Clinical Hospital No 2 in Szczecin. The study made use of the diagnostic survey method with the original questionnaire and standardized research tools: Acceptance of Illness Scale (AIS) and Mental Adjustment to Cancer Scale (Mini-MAC). Results: The analysis of mental adjustment to cancer according to Mini-MAC revealed that the respondents most frequently adopted the fighting spirit strategy (M; 22.22). Slightly less frequently adopted strategies were positive re-evaluation (M; 21.28) and anxious preoccupation (M; 17.07). The least frequently adopted strategy was the helplessness-hopelessness strategy (M; 13.14). The analysis of data showed a statistically significant negative correlation (r = -0.245; p = 0.003) between disease acceptance according to AIS and age. The data analysis revealed a statistically significant positive correlation with helplessness-hopelessness and destructive style (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Mental adjustment to cancer was found to affect the acceptance of illness. When providing comprehensive care to cancer patients, it is equally crucial to consider the physical as well as mental health aspect, taking into account the aforementioned factors which affect both acceptance as well as adjustment to disease.