A retrospective study of personality variables associated with fibrocystic disease and breast cancer.

Women with breast cancer were compared to women with fibrocystic disease and healthy women to determine differences in self-perceptions of personality characteristics. Four standardized personality instruments were analyzed using analysis of covariance. An Adjective Check List was analyzed using logistic regression. Women with breast cancer were found to be more depressed, less aggressive and less demonstrative than women in the other two groups. Women with fibrocystic disease and with breast cancer were found to have higher needs for neatness and order and were found to be less curious and analytical than women in the healthy group. Women in the healthy group described themselves as calm, relaxed, outgoing and able to express anger. Women in the fibrocystic group described themselves as tense, restless, outgoing and expressing anger. Women in the breast cancer group described themselves as timid, non-assertive, non-competitive, calm, easy going and as keeping anger inside.