Comparative study of Canadian and Hungarian colon cancer patients

The aim of our study is to determine the effect of cultural differences of colon cancer patients on coping style and the process of healing.

Sample: 57 Hungarian, 50 Canadian colon cancer patients.

Method: Questionnaire of socio-demographic status, MAC (Mental Adjustment Scale), POMS (Profile of Mood Scale)

Results: In terms of coping style the only significant difference between the two sample groups could be found on the helpless/hopeless scale in favour of the Hungarian group (p=0.01). The people who use this coping mechanism have lower income, are less educated and use alternative healing techniques to a lesser extent.

Canadian males and Hungarian females score higher on the „fatalism“ scale. This coping strategy positively correlates to age and negatively to educational level.

A significant difference (p=0.1) can be seen on the POMS „vitality“ scale: Hungarian average: 10,5, Canadian average: 12,7.

Hungarian patients show a higher degree of anxiety (p=0.056) and depression (p=0.32) if they do not know their diagnosis, and choose avoidance as coping style (p=0.0061)

Canadian patients have a more direct relationship with their doctors which convey more expectations. Hungarian patients are reluctant to talk about this topic, and 88% of them are satisfied by the treatment they get.

Conclusions: There is a significant difference between Hungarian and Canadian patient groups in terms of coping, emotional reactions and some areas of the patient-doctor relationship. We suppose that financial and value system differences are responsible for the above findings.