L23 - Health Psychology

Question 1

In Australia, how many estimated new cases of cancer are there each year? And what is this expected to rise to by 2020?

Answer 1

128,000

150,000 by 2020

Question 2

The 5 year survival rate in 1982/87 was 46%. What was it in 2006/10?

Answer 2

66%

Question 3

In women, which two genes indicate breast cancer and ovarian cancer?

Answer 3

BRCA1 and BRCA2

Question 4

By 2030 the global cancer burden is expected to grow to how many cases?

Answer 4

21.4 million cases

Question 5

Early detection of disease or its precursors is a type a screening. What are 3 examples of this type of detection given in the lecture?

Answer 5

1. Cervical screening
2. Hypertension
3. Early breast cancer lumps

Question 6

What are some of the roles of family members in the cancer journey? Especially in the diagnosis and treatment decision-making stages?

Answer 6

Roles: emotional, informational, decision-making, logistical support, advocate, interpreter, memory aid in consultations

Question 7

In 1961, what percentage of oncologists “usually or always” told the patient of their cancer diagnosis? What was this % in 2001?

Answer 7

In 1961 only 2% told their patients. In 2001 99% told the cancer diagnosis.

Question 8

What is the optimal fertility age in women?

Answer 8

18-31

Question 9

What is paternalistic decision making? Who makes the decision?

Answer 9

Doctor-led

Question 10

What is informed/autonomous decision making? Who leads the decision making process?

Answer 10

Patient led

Question 11

Shared decision making (SDM) involves BOTH the doctor and the patient. What are the 3 stages of SDM? And who has the ultimate authority of the final decision?

Answer 11

1. Information exchange
2. Deliberation stage
3. Decision stage

The patient has the ultimate authority over the final decision.

Question 12

SDM is effective. SDM leads to improvements in….

Answer 12

SDM leads to improvements in…

• Overall satisfaction with care
• Satisfaction with decision making process
• Satisfaction with doctor-patient relationship
• Knowledge
• Treatment adherence
• Quality of life

Question 13

Which is the most feared treatment for cancer? Why?

Answer 13

Chemotherapy is the most feared treatment. Patients anticipate the nausea and vomiting.

Question 14

Which is often perceived as more frightening, surgery or radiotherapy?

Answer 14

Radiotherapy

Question 15

Are alternative therapies used alongside conventional medicine or instead of conventional medicine?

Answer 15

Instead of

Question 16

What is the role of complementary therapies in cancer treatment?

Answer 16

• Used ALONG WITH conventional medicine

- Used to help alleviate treatment side effects, enhance wellbeing, contribute to overall care

Question 17

What is the estimated prevalence of CAM (complementary and alternative medicine) in the general population and in cancer?

Answer 17

General = 40%
Cancer = 65%

Question 18

Why does depression increase at the end of radiotherapy treatment?

Answer 18

This is when the side effects of the treatment are experienced

Question 19

Why does anxiety increase for some patients at the end of treatment?

Answer 19

They feel like they are doing nothing to fight the disease now that the treatment has stopped. Fear of cancer recurrence.

Question 20

2 years post-treatment, what percentage of individuals are clinically anxious and what percentage are clinically depressed?

Answer 20

Anxious: 30%
Depressed: 10-20%

Question 21

What are some of the challenges that individuals may face in survivorship (many are able to integrate experiences but some may not…)

Answer 21

• Existential tension
• Identity disruption
• Body becomes a source of suspicion

Question 22

What is a survivorship care plan?

Answer 22

Formal, written document with details of diagnosis and treatment and plans for the future etc.