A psychological study of anxiety over recurrence or metastasis of cancer patients by means of projective and writing methods.

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The purpose of this study is to investigate whether the Rorschach test (projective method) and the written account (writing method) have validity in clarifying anxiety of recurrence, or metastasis, in breast cancer patients. The subjects were four female breast cancer patients.The Rorschach test was administered to each patient. The patients were then asked to write about their anxiety concerning cancer recurrence, or metastasis, in about 2000 words.In analyzing the Rorschach responses, anxiety was present in all patients. However, their protocols were different, compared to neurotic patients.The patients showed Human Movement response (M). This result suggests that they had good human relationships. In making a content analysis, we found that they expressed anatomical, visceral responses (Anatomy: At) such as by pelvis, uterus, and lungs. This shows a deep interest (anxiety) of the patient about her body condition.Concerning the patients' Written accounts, over a period of time they registered their emotional changes naturally and clearly.In conclusion, the projective and writing methods were shown to reveal more anxiety than direct questionnaires.