Social isolation in lung cancer patients

Lung cancer patients were found to score significantly higher on a social isolation scale when compared to a group of patients with other chronic lung diseases as well as to a control group of apparently healthy adults. Social isolation in lung cancer patients did not correlate with their apparent isolation, depression or with their physicians' estimations of their attitudes. Social workers involved in the care of lung cancer patients should be aware that these patients may be actually, if not obviously, socially isolated.