Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine if psychological adaptation between cancer patients and their families is  dependent on effectiveness of their communication related to cancer. 

Methods: Seventy-four cancer out-patients (37 males, 37 females) aged 60.1 +11.2 (SD) yr receiving chemotherapy treatment at the Hiroshima University Hospital and their family members (28 males, 46 females) aged 54.8 +14.1 (SD) yr were studied. A survey was conducted using the Profile of Mood States scale and a cancer-related communication questionnaire.  

Results: Seventy-four families, 74 patients and 74 their family caregivers, returned questionnaires by mail. The results showed thatpatient psychological adaptation is 
significantly dependent on younger age (β= -0.286, p<0.05), duration of cancer diagnosis (β= 0.279, p<0.05), and poor health condition (β= 0.302, p<0.05). For family members, psychological adaptation was dependent on ability to communicate effectively(β= -0.437, p<0.01)and younger age(β= -0.169, p<0.01). 

Conclusions: The results of this study showed that better communication oncanceris
 associated with better psychological adaptation of cancer patient’s family members. It is therefore recommended that healthcare providers should provide support cancer patients and their families to have effective communication on the illness.