Background: Research has revealed many correlations between optimism and mental and
physical health. The concept of optimism is a complex notion defined by researchers
mainly as positive expectations about the future; however, unrealistic-and situation-specific
optimism and hope can also be considered to be part of this concept. In the case of
breast cancer patients, optimism correlates with lower levels of anxiety and distress,
higher levels of well-being and social support, and post-traumatic growth. Aim: The
aim of our study was to explore and compare the (past-year and life-time) psychological
well-being and variations in the levels of optimism and pessimism of healthy women
and breast cancer patients. Our further aim was to examine during the 5-year follow-up,
whether optimistic/pessimistic attitudes correlate with survival. The long-term aim
of our study was to contribute to the more effective (and holistic) prevention and
treatment of breast cancer. Method: Twenty-eight Hungarian breast cancer patients
and 28 matched healthy women were interviewed by a newly developed, structured interview
(Complex Structured Interview for Breast Cancer Patients). The answers were analyzed
using qualitative content analysis based on the Grounded Theory Method. Results: According
to our results, both the breast cancer patients and the healthy women were psychologically
well during their life, but significant difference appeared between the two groups
regarding psychological well-being in the year before the interview: breast cancer
patients felt worse than healthy woman (p = 0.022), but showed a more optimistic attitude
(p = 0.003). The results of the 5-year follow-up did not show significant correlation
between optimistic/pessimistic attitudes and survival. Conclusions: In spite of their
significantly worse psychological well-being, a more optimistic attitude is apparent
in the group of breast cancer patients compared to healthy women. This optimism can
be explained as a defense mechanism but as an adaptive coping mechanism as well.
