ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Disease-related stress is a common phenomenon. It also occurs in neoplastic diseases. Since physical and mental health are interrelated, it is important to make sure that treatment covers these two areas. Therefore, it is essential to learn how patients with neoplastic diseases can cope with stress. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The respondents are 306 patients suffering from neoplastic diseases, associated in patient advocacy groups. The method is the Brief-COPE (Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced) questionnaire. RESULTS: The following stress management strategies were most commonly adopted by the patients: acceptance (median 2.25; 25-75% IQR 2.0-3.0), active coping (median 2.0; 25-75% IQR (interquartile range) 1.5-2.0), planning (median 2.0; 25-75% IQR 2.0-2.0), emotional support (median 2.0; 25-75% IQR 1.5-2.0), instrumental support (median 2.0; 25-75% IQR 2.0-2.0), self-distraction (median 2.0; 25-75% IQR 1.5-3.0), and venting (median 2.0; 25-75% IQR 1.5-3.0). A decision to adopt a particular stress management strategy by patients with neoplastic diseases was highly affected by demographic factors (p < 0.05), such as sex, education, age, place of residence and employment. CONCLUSIONS: Teaching stress management strategies should be a part of the education process among patients with neoplastic diseases. Before or in the course of treatment, an oncology patient should be educated on the prevention of mental health disorders. The ability to cope with stress is one of the key competences for the course of neoplastic diseases and it can affect the treatment process. Stress management in chronic diseases, including neoplastic diseases, should be approached not only at the level of an individual person but also at the level of the health system as a whole.