Personality and cancer

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Abstract
Evidence concerning a possible link between personality and cancer is inconsistent. The present review focuses on recent evidence that links personality-related variables to quality of life, disease progression and development, and screening in the context of cancer. This evidence suggests that personality and social comparison information may impact on adaptation to cancer, that emotional distress may adversely affect the clinical course of cancer, that chronic depression may increase cancer risk, and that emotional distress may influence health-enhancing behaviours. Accordingly, psycho-oncological research should include both state and trait measures of distress and related personality variables.