Original scientific paper

Psychological Status and Illness Perceptions in Patients with Melanoma

Maja Vurnek Živković
Marija Buljan
Iva Blajić
Mirna Šitum

Abstract

A diagnosis of cancer and its treatment can create considerable distress, anxiety and depression for both patients and
their families. The emotional impact of melanoma can be long lasting and profound, although the data in this field is inconsistent.
Our last study showed that melanoma has a medium influence on patients’ psychological status and quality
of life. The aim of this paper was to investigate illness perceptions in patients with melanoma and its correlations with
quality of life and emotional status. 60 patients suffering from malignant melanoma were included in the study. Results
of this study show that patients perceive melanoma as a relatively long lasting illness, relatively easy to control, but hard
to cure; and as an illness with not many consequences to their health. The causes of melanoma as perceived by patients
are exposure to sun, heredity, immunity and stress. Illness perceptions are correlated with patients’ quality of life, the influence
illness has on the quality of life and depression.

Keywords

melanoma; illness perceptions; quality of life; psychological status

Hrčak ID:

34544

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/34544

Publication date:

1.10.2008.

Visits: 1.854 *