Abstract
The coping mechanisms used by patients diagnosed with cancer play a role in their well-being and, therefore, influence their quality of life and possibly even their survival. We review the characteristics of one of these mechanisms, denial, and suggest an approach to dealing with denying patients.
Full text
PDF



Selected References
These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.
- Brock G., Gurekas V. L., Thomas J. E. When Families Want To Keep the Truth from Their Loved Ones: Letter to an ethicist. Can Fam Physician. 1991 Sep;37:1852–1853. [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Dansak D. A., Cordes R. S. Cancer: denial or suppression? Int J Psychiatry Med. 1978;9(3-4):257–262. doi: 10.2190/rtf5-qjlj-43mq-jn3j. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Douglas C. J., Druss R. G. Denial of illness: a reappraisal. Gen Hosp Psychiatry. 1987 Jan;9(1):53–57. doi: 10.1016/0163-8343(87)90102-2. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Watson M., Greer S., Blake S., Shrapnell K. Reaction to a diagnosis of breast cancer. Relationship between denial, delay and rates of psychological morbidity. Cancer. 1984 May 1;53(9):2008–2012. doi: 10.1002/1097-0142(19840501)53:9<2008::aid-cncr2820530934>3.0.co;2-b. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Wool M. S. Extreme denial in breast cancer patients and capacity for object relations. Psychother Psychosom. 1986;46(4):196–204. doi: 10.1159/000287984. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
