Perceptions of the "mind-cancer" relationship among the public, cancer patients, and oncologists

The view that psychological factors play a role in the onset and progression of cancer has been promoted widely in the popular media. The present study assessed the prevalence of this view. The respondents-527 members of the public, 239 cancer patients, and 117 medical practitioners working in oncology-completed a survey questionnaire consisting of three questions in a yes/no format on whether they believed psychological factors can affect the cause, progression, and cure of cancer. Each question was followed by a Likert-scale question asking respondents to estimate the strength of such an effect. The majority of respondents in the public sample endorsed the proposition that psychological factors affect cause (60%), progression (71%), and cure (72%). A larger proportion of patients endorsed the proposition for progression (85%) and cure (86%). Oncologists were less likely to endorse it for cause (12%) and cure (26%). These relationships also held for estimates of the strength of the effect. In the public sample, females and respondents with a university education provided higher estimates of the effects of psychological factors on cancer. These differences were not evident in the patient sample. Given that the scientific evidence to support the "mind-cancer" view is equivocal, the question of whether these perceptions should be challenged needs to be addressed. 2003 by The Haworth Press, Inc. All rights reserved.