Toward Identification of a Psychological Variable in Host Resistance to Cancer

Abstract

In human subjects with cancer, evidence suggests no immediate relationship between psychological variable of extent or quality of underlying unpleasant feeling, tension, and course of the cancer. It is noted, however, that subjects who grew worse differed from those who did not grow worse in a pattern of psychological functioning which is described as processes of unproductive wasted vitality. A hypothesis is formulated relating these processes to cancer course.