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 
theirfamily 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 
withbetter 
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.