Interaction of psychosocial and physical risk factors in the causation of mammary cancer, and its prevention through psychological methods of treatment

Abstract

Reports an error in the original article by R. Grossarth-Maticek et al (Journal of Clinical Psychology, 2000[Jan], Vol 56[1], 33–50. Dr. J. Heep was incorrectly identified in the byline of the original publication of this article. (The following abstract of this article originally appeared in record [rid]2000-13076-004[/rid].) Over 8,000 healthy women (mean age 58 yrs) were studied in 1973 with the aim of establishing the presence or absence of a variety of physical and psychological risk factors for mammary cancer. Mortality was established in 1988, 15 yrs later. Both physical and psychological risk-factor predictors were highly significant. Physical risk factors were more predictive than psychological ones, but both interacted synergistically to predict mortality. Alone, psychological (stress) factors had little effect, while physical factors did. However, psychological factors seemed to potentiate the effect of physical factors, particularly in the middle range. The causal relevance of psychological factors was established in a special intervention study using autonomy training as a method of prophylactic therapy and comparing outcome with the effects of no therapy (control). Findings add to those of other studies (e.g., F. I. Fawzy, 1995) that collectively suggest a … (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)