Multidisciplinary interview to assess distress in patients waiting for breast cancer treatments

Linardos, Marinella; Carnevale, Stefania; Agostini, Laura; Belella, Daniela

doi:10.21037/tcr.2018.02.17

Cited by 3 publications

(4 citation statements)

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“…Distress amongst cancer patients was previously suggested to be a sixth vital sign by several national cancer societies [18,19]. Amongst patients with newly diagnosed cancer, anxiety associated with waiting for treatment is exceptionally common [20]. In patients with thyroid cancer, stress, anxiety, and intrusive thoughts are pervasive for those awaiting thyroidectomy [13].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Psychosocial Distress in Adult Patients Awaiting Cancer Surgery during the COVID-19 Pandemic

et al. 2021

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Cancer causes substantial emotional and psychosocial distress, which may be exacerbated by delays in treatment. The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in increased wait times for many patients with cancer. In this study, the psychosocial distress associated with waiting for cancer surgery during the pandemic was investigated. This cross-sectional, convergent mixed-methods study included patients with lower priority disease during the first wave of COVID-19 at an academic, tertiary care hospital in eastern Canada. Participants underwent semi-structured interviews and completed two questionnaires: Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). Qualitative analysis was completed through a thematic analysis approach, with integration achieved through triangulation. Fourteen participants were recruited, with cancer sites including thyroid, kidney, breast, prostate, and a gynecological disorder. Increased anxiety symptoms were found in 36% of patients and depressive symptoms in 14%. Similarly, 64% of patients experienced moderate or high stress. Six key themes were identified, including uncertainty, life changes, coping strategies, communication, experience, and health services. Participants discussed substantial distress associated with lifestyle changes and uncertain treatment timelines. Participants identified quality communication with their healthcare team and individualized coping strategies as being partially protective against such symptoms. Delays in surgery for patients with cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in extensive psychosocial distress. Patients may be able to mitigate these symptoms partially through various coping mechanisms and improved communication with their healthcare teams.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Psychosocial Distress in Adult Patients Awaiting Cancer Surgery during the COVID-19 Pandemic

et al. 2021

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“…Being diagnosed to have cancer in itself is distressing for a patient and family. The anxiety levels are higher in newly diagnosed cases and new stressor can be difficult to manage for such patients [5][6][7]. Treatment delay due to COVID -19 pandemic and the fear associated with higher chances of acquiring infection due to week immune system lead to increased psychological issues in many cancer patients [8][9][10].…”

Section: Cancer Managementmentioning

confidence: 99%

Emotional and Psychological Impact of COVID-19 Induced Delay in Treatment of Medical Conditions

Kaur¹,

Kaundal²

2023

COVID-19 Pandemic, Mental Health and Neuroscience - New Scenarios for Understanding and Treatment

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COVID-19 pandemic significantly affected the physical, social, economical and mental health globally. Social distancing, quarantine and national wide lockdowns became new norm. Hospital emergencies and were flooded with patients diagnosed with COVID -19, Intensive care units were full with critically ill COVID-19 patients. Most of the health care facilities were diverted towards the management of COVID 19 patients. Majority of the manpower were involved in the screening, diagnosing and management with those infected with COVID 19. There was no arrangements for non COVID patients which lead to delay in diagnosis of new onset disease and cancellation of the previously planned appointments of those with chronic disease. Delay in treatment resulted in increased anxiety, stress, fear and emotional and psychological disturbances in many.

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“…Especially, newly diagnosed patients seem to have higher levels of anxiety when they encounter treatment delay. 7 , 8 Furthermore, studies report that cancer patients have a higher risk of developing several psychological conditions when faced with public health emergencies and other unprecedent events. 9 , 10 Thus, Individuals with cancer have endured psychological pressure during the COVID‐19 epidemic, which may lead to psychological distress, such as anxiety and irritability.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Cancer causes psychosocial distress, which may be exacerbated by delays in treatment. Especially, newly diagnosed patients seem to have higher levels of anxiety when they encounter treatment delay 7,8 . Furthermore, studies report that cancer patients have a higher risk of developing several psychological conditions when faced with public health emergencies and other unprecedent events 9,10 .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Psychological distress of cancer patients caused by treatment delay during the COVID‐19 pandemic in China: A cross‐sectional study

Wang

Cai

et al. 2022

Psycho-Oncology

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Objective The currents study sought to explore the impact of treatment delay on the mental health for patients with cancer during the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID‐19) pandemic. Methods Travel restrictions were imposed in most areas of the country between 23 January 2020 and 25 February 2020 owing to the COVID‐19 epidemic. Travel restrictions were lifted from 26 February 2020 to 12 March 2020. The number of new confirmed cases significantly reduced after 12 March 2020. Study participants, comprised of individuals from three distinct groups: (1) 835 cancer patients who attended Zhejiang Cancer Hospital between 26 February 2020 and 12 March 2020; (2) 185 healthy volunteers recruited between 26 February 2020 and 12 March 2020; (3) 168 cancer patients who attended the hospital during the non‐epidemic period (after 12 March 2020). Two outcome measures including patients' posttraumatic stress responses and general psychological distress (GPD) were assessed using the Chinese versions of the Impact of Events Scale‐Revised and the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10). Treatment delay was assessed via counting the time interval from diagnosis to treatment initiation, or from planned treatment date to actual date of therapy. Communication satisfaction was evaluated via a self‐report questionnaire. An independent sample t ‐test or Wilcoxon rank sum test was used for comparison. Statistical analysis included Chi‐square test, Mann‐Whitney test and multivariate logistic regression. Results All 1188 participants (835 patients with cancer and 185 controls during the outbreak, and 168 patients with cancer during the non‐epidemic period) completed and submitted the questionnaires. A positive association was observed between treatment delays and increased GPD levels (OR 1.716; 95% confidence interval ,CI 1.254–2.348; p = 0.001) as well as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms (OR: 1.545, 95% CI: (1.166–2.047), p = 0.002). Patients who reported good communication with their doctors showed a significantly lower risk of GPD (OR: 0.526, 95% CI (0.348–0.794), p = 0.002) and PTSD (OR: 0.683, 95% CI (0.490–0.951), p = 0.024) compared with patients who reported unsatisfactory communication or had no contact with their doctors. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that treatment at a local hospital, treatment delays and unsatisfactory or no communication with cancer‐care professionals were significantly correlated with severe GPD and PTSD symptoms of patients (all p ≤ 0.05). Conclusion The findings indicate that cancer patients who underwent treatment delays during the COVID‐19 pandemic may become vulnerable to psychological distress. The results showed that effective communication with doctors and cancer‐care professionals during o...

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Multidisciplinary interview to assess distress in patients waiting for breast cancer treatments

Cited by 3 publications

References 0 publications

Psychosocial Distress in Adult Patients Awaiting Cancer Surgery during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Psychosocial Distress in Adult Patients Awaiting Cancer Surgery during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Emotional and Psychological Impact of COVID-19 Induced Delay in Treatment of Medical Conditions

Psychological distress of cancer patients caused by treatment delay during the COVID‐19 pandemic in China: A cross‐sectional study

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