Attitudes toward Cancer

Abstract

The Cancer Metaphors Test, a measure designed to assess the imagery of cancer, was administered to samples of Nepalese (n = 228) and U.S. (n = 184) graduate students. For both samples, no significant age, gender, or field of study differences were obtained, but Nepalese students scored higher than U.S. students on both Terminal Pessimism and Future Optimism. Within each sample, scores on pessimism were higher than scores on optimism. An analysis of the individual metaphors suggested some differences but also substantial commonality of endorsement.