Co-occurrence of anxiety and depressive symptoms following breast cancer surgery and its impact on quality of life

Abstract

Purpose Little is known about the prevalence of combined anxiety and depressive symptoms (CADS) in breast cancer patients. Purpose was to evaluate for differences in demographic and clinical characteristics and quality of life (QOL) prior to breast cancer surgery among women classified into one of four distinct anxiety and/or depressive symptom groups. Methods A total of 335 patients completed measures of anxiety and depressive symptoms and QOL prior to and for 6 months following breast cancer surgery. Growth Mixture Modelling (GMM) was used to identify subgroups of women with distinct trajectories of anxiety and depressive symptoms. These results were used to create four distinct anxiety and/or depressive symptom groups. Differences in demographic, clinical, and symptom characteristics, among these groups were evaluated using analyses of variance and Chi square analyses. Results A total of 44.5% of patients were categorized with CADS. Women with CADS were younger, non-white, had lower performance status, received neoadjuvant or adjuvant chemotherapy, had greater difficulty dealing with their disease and treatment, and reported less support from others to meet their needs. These women had lower physical, psychological, social well-being, and total QOL scores. Higher levels of anxiety with or without subsyndromal depressive symptoms were associated with increased fears of recurrence, hopelessness, uncertainty, loss of control, and a decrease in life satisfaction. Conclusions Findings suggest that CADS occurs in a high percentage of women following breast cancer surgery and results in a poorer QOL. Assessments of anxiety and depressive symptoms are warranted prior to surgery for breast cancer.

Differences in symptom clusters identified using symptom occurrence rates versus severity ratings in patients with breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy

“…While the number and specific symptoms found in the psychological symptom cluster varied based on symptom assessment instruments used, all three of the studies of breast cancer patients undergoing CTX (Kim et al, 2008; Phligbua et al, 2013; Suwisith et al, 2008), as well as numerous studies of heterogeneous samples of oncology patients undergoing CTX (e.g., (Chen and Lin, 2007; Yates et al, 2015)), identified this symptom cluster. The ubiquitous nature of this symptom cluster confirms previous reports of the high prevalence rates for anxiety (Burgess et al, 2005; Gold et al, 2016; Lim et al, 2011) and depressive symptoms (Burgess et al, 2005; Dunn et al, 2011; Gold et al, 2016) in oncology patients undergoing cancer treatment.…”

Fear of cancer recurrence promotes cancer screening behaviors among family caregivers of cancer survivors

“…Many patients, survivors, and their family members face uncertainty regarding whether cancer may return or progress . Fear, worry, or concern about this uncertainty, collectively called fear of cancer recurrence (FCR), has been associated with greater depression and poorer quality of life among cancer survivors . Studies also have reported that FCR among family caregivers sometimes is higher than that of their patients .…”

“…Studies also have reported that FCR among family caregivers sometimes is higher than that of their patients . Caregivers' FCR that their patient's cancer may return or progress has been associated with their own greater anxiety, depression, and loneliness, and a poorer quality of life as well …”

Novel, isoform-selective, cholecystokinin A receptor antagonist inhibits colon and pancreatic cancers in preclinical models through novel mechanism of action

“…PNB-028 reduces depression and anxiety. Depression and anxiety are serious cancer-associated symptoms (28). CCK peptides alter neurological functions to promote depression and anxiety (29).…”