Stress-coping response to genitourinary carcinoma in men

In this descriptive study of 30 men with chronic genitourinary cancer, subjects were found to have minimal emotional distress in response to a periodic diagnostic procedure (cystoscopy). State anxiety levels and critical thinking ability measured preprocedure were not significantly different from levels obtained six to eight weeks postprocedure in subjects with negative biopsy results. Routine hospitalization for diagnostic monitoring was found, during COPE interview (Weisman & Worden, 1976), to be less stressful than regular work or financial and family concerns. Subjects with higher concurrent life stress had higher state anxiety and achieved less resolution of problems. Although anxiety levels for the group were within normal limits, 33% of the sample were categorized as having high anxiety on at least one testing occasion. This high-anxiety group had more severe behavioral responses, including feelings of depression, helplessness, and inability to set priorities.