Social precariousness, cancer and psychological vulnerability: directly or indirectly linked?
Fiche publication
Date publication
décembre 2008
Auteurs
Membres identifiés du Cancéropôle Est :
Pr NOEL Georges
Tous les auteurs :
Fernandez A, Noel G
Lien Pubmed
Résumé
The link between psychological vulnerability and cancer is not clearly established. However, there does appear to be a link between cancer and social marginality. Psychological fragility has been shown to be associated with tobacco addiction. Socially vulnerable people are at risk of undergoing screening less frequently and being treated less efficiently. These data could explain the deficit in terms of both monitoring of their pathologies and observed survival rates, compared with those relating to the general population. Such people do not refuse treatment or screening and are often well aware of screening methods and their usefulness, and wish to be treated if they are ill. The main problems relate to organisation and careprovision. Monitoring of such patients is not always possible and the notion of a "life-plan" is often nonexistent, thus preventing adequate management of the disease. Screening programs are not adapted for marginal and socially excluded populations. Solutions can be found but they depend on both social and health policies and the behaviour of every individual professional care-provider.
Référence
Psycho-oncologie. 2008 Dec;2(4):250-65