The psycho-oncology literature points to influences of personality characteristics in cancer origin. This present study aimed to verify psychological aspects involved in the etiology of breast and digestive apparatus cancer, in a comparative study. It was accomplished through the application of a psychological interview and a reduced form of Thematic Apperception Test (TAT), in 15 women patients between 41 and 60 years old, divided in two groups: breast cancer (BC) and digestive apparatus cancer (DAC). Results indicated predominance of borderline personality organizations in BC and neurotic personality structures in DAC. Both groups referred losses and frustrations preceding disease, splitting of the ego between reason and affect, conflicts between aggressive and sexual instincts, conflicts relating to maternal figure and prevalence of operative thought, indicating difficulties in representing their own instincts mentally. Considerations were made about the importance of psychoterapy in these patients in order to construct or strength their symbolic capability.
cancer; personality; psychosomatic; psychooncology; Thematic Apperception Test
