The psychological, social, and economic impact of illness among patients with recurrent cancer

This longitudinal study examined the psychological, social, and economic impact of recurrent cancer and its treatment on an initial sample of 268 patients. Structured interviews were conducted at the initiation of palliative radiation therapy and four and eight months later (n = 161 at final follow-up). Data were obtained on health status, psychological functioning, personality attributes, social support, health care utilization, and finances. Except for medical transportation, most of the patients' concrete needs did not change over time. Economic issues independently predicted psychological outcomes. Patients' perceived stress, role restriction, self-esteem, and total symptoms decreased over time, whereas their dispositional pessimism increased.