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Immediately after learning she had an abnormal mammogram, Jenna 42, booked an appointment with a physician her gynecologist recommended. Although she had expected a negative outcome because her mother was a breast cancer survivor, Jenna didn't tell either her mother or her husband about her doctor's visit. Katie, 50, dealt differently with her suspicious mammogram results. Although she, too, was very worried, Katie held off making a doctor's appointment, and instead tearfully asked anyone who would listen for their opinions. After two weeks, she scheduled appointments with surgeons, bringing family members with her for comfort. Fran, 45, dealt with her worrisome mammogram by researching surgeons, biopsy procedures, types of breast cancer and treatments, and even approaches to reconstruction. She arrived at the surgeon's office armed with a list of questions.

All three women coped with suspicious mammograms and diagnosis of breast cancer in ways compatible with their very different personality styles. Trying to learn more about the connection between a person's personality and how they cope with cancer, a colleague, Dr. Carol Kaffenberger, and I collected information on 70 people, diagnosed with some type of cancer within the previous five years. We gave these people a widely used personality inventory test, the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) and completed an inventory on how they coped with cancer. Although the results are preliminary, this study yielded interesting information on the connection between how different personality types cope with cancer.

Type Setting

The MBTI views personality in terms of four specific types. What's your type? Check the answers for each category below that most describes your personality type.

1) Am I an extravert or an introvert?

Extraverts (E):

  • Are energized by socializing with others; don't enjoy being alone
  • Are likely to enjoy many casual friendships
  • Act outer-directed, talkative, expressive

    Introverts (I)

  • Enjoy people but are most energized when alone
  • Have only a few close relationships
  • Are reflective and introspective, quiet and private

2) Am I a Sensor or an Intuitive?

Sensors (S)

  • Are realistic, practical and down-to-earth
  • Are concerned with facts and details
  • Focus on the present.

    Intuitives (N)

  • Are imaginative and creative
  • Are abstract thinkers who focus on the big picture
  • Emphasize future possibilities

3) Am I a thinker or a feeler?

Thinkers (T)

  • Are logical and objective
  • Are analytical and make decisions based on facts and principles
  • Like to achieve and want to have control

    Feelers (F)

  • Are subjective, emphasizing personal values
  • Make decisions based on feelings and relationships
  • Like pleasing others, having harmony and emotional support

4) Am I a judger or a perceiver?

Judgers (J)

  • Plan and organize their life
  • Make decisions easily
  • Are very structured

    Perceivers (P)

  • Live spontaneous, flexible lives with few definite plans
  • Have difficulty making decisions; so they seek more information
  • Begin many projects but have difficulty completing them

 

What Is Your Personality Type?

Extravert: You enjoy socializing and usually are open about your fears. Extraverts like to talk about medical concerns: they think out loud and process decisions with the help of others.

Introvert: You are a private person who thinks before you talk. Introverts often only tell close friends and family members about their medical conditions. If you are dealing with an introvert, ask them if they want to talk or to have company.

Sensor: Practical decisions and facts concern Sensors. When it comes to treatment, you want to know the cost, how long you'll be out of work, and how to deal with daily responsibilities. Sensors generally appreciate practical help with child care and meals.

Intuitive: You focus on the future, and may be particularly worried about outcome and possible recurrence. When dealing with an Intuitive, be patient while they mull over possibilities, but if they ruminate too much, gently change the subject.

Thinker: You probably are logical and clear-thinking, wanting to base your decisions on facts, but have a tendency to neglect your emotions. You are most likely to use the Internet for research and value help in gathering data.

Feeler: You can become so overwhelmed by emotions that you have trouble making sound decisions. Feelers need to focus their thinking as well as their feelings.

Judger: Decision-making comes easily to you, but you sometimes make hasty decisions, in an effort to bring closure to an issue.

Perceiver: You may delay decisions while you gather more and more information, seeking the perfect decision.

How The Four Combinations Cope

If you combine the letters representing your first and second personality preferences (E or I and S or N), you can glean useful information.

ES - Action-Oriented Realists - Relationships as well as practical information are important to these people, which is why presentations on cancer and its emotional impact can be useful. They tend to view cancer as a challenge and are ready
to fight the disease.

EN - Action-Oriented Innovators - They want to accomplish something and are open to new perspectives, but become impatient with meditative therapies such as relaxation and imagery.

IS - Thoughtful Realists - They are practical and have a lot of interest in medical information. They have little interest in support groups, meditation and relaxation techniques but want proven actions and treatments.

IN - Thoughtful Innovators - Information that helps them understand the big picture is important to them. They are willing to try new activities that make sense to them and so might cautiously venture into support groups and try out meditation and relaxation therapies.

You can even combine all four of your preferences for a more complete personality type.

Have you guessed by now the personality types of the three women first described? Jenna, a private person who is practical and down to earth is a quick-deciding ISTJ. Katie, outgoing and emotional, is an ENFP who focuses on possibilities rather than facts and has difficulty making decisions. Fran, detail-oriented and organized is clearly an INTJ.

Where do you fit in?

Understanding your personality type, and using it to improve the ways you or a friend copes with cancer can be very rewarding.

 
Linda Seligman, PhD is a 12-year breast cancer survivor. A licensed psychologist in private practice in Fairfax, Virginia, she specializes in helping people cope with cancer. Her MBTI type is INTJ.