Quality of life and psychological distress during cancer: a prospective observational study involving young breast cancer female patients

Abstract

Background Despite the possible traumatic significance of cancer and of the incidence, prevalence, and survival of young women with breast cancer, these patients are underrepresented in multidimensional research. In the present survey, QoL and psychological distress were studied in a sample of young female breast cancer patients during the first year of their disease. More in detail, the study was firstly aimed to assess if QoL of 18–45 years old female breast cancer patients was different from QoL of women from the general population and if it changed over time. Secondly, it described the psychological distress and its change over time. Finally, it assessed if QoL registered 1 year post-surgery may be explained by QoL and/or psychological distress registered during the hospitalization. Methods One hundred six, consecutive 18–45 years old, female primary breast cancer patients undergoing anticancer surgery filled out the Short Form 36 Health Survey Questionnaire, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and a socio-demographic and clinical form during hospitalization to receive surgery (T0), and again at 12 months post-surgery (T1). Results At T0, participants showed a better physical functioning ( p = 0 .001) than the female normative sample, whereas their mental functioning was worse ( p < 0 .001). In this time, mental functioning within our sample was weaker than physical functioning ( p < 0 .001). Over time, physical functioning decreased ( p < 0 .001), whereas mental functioning increased ( p < 0 .001). Both at T0 and T1, anxiety was higher than depression ( p < 0 .05). Both distress dimensions decreased over time ( p < 0 .001). Nevertheless, at T0 the 25.5 and 26.4% of the sample were respectively possible and probable cases of anxiety, whereas the 17.9 and 9.4% were possible and probable cases of depression. At T1, the percentages were 17.9 and 18.9% for anxiety, and 8.5 and 6.6% for depression. In both considered times, a better QoL corresponded to less psychological distress. However, QoL and psychological distress assessed at T0 did not predict the QoL at T1. Conclusions This study documented as QoL and psychological distress may change during the first year after surgery for a primary breast cancer in young women; therefore, they should be monitored over time to detect and treat women with alarming levels on them.

Evidence-Based Exercise Recommendations to Improve Mental Wellbeing in Women with Breast Cancer during Active Treatment: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“…The incidence of depression in breast cancer has also increased, with rates as high as 17–50% in some [ 88 , 89 ] cross-sectional and prospective observational studies. However, physical exercise may have the potential to reduce depressive symptoms and improve cognition in patients with breast cancer [ 90 ].…”

Breast cancer patient experiences through a journey map: A qualitative study

“…Earlier studies state that experiencing cancer is highly stressful. It involves a major threat to life or physical integrity, in addition to mental health, interfering with the path, projects, and plans patients have for their life over the short, medium, and, on occasion, long term as well [ 6 ]. Along with reporting adverse physical and psychological impacts, patients also report positive ways in which they have grown psychologically or emotionally from the experience [ 7 , 42 ].…”

“…Though high, this survival rate is achieved at the expense of multiple treatment modalities, such as surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and hormone therapy, the side effects and sequelae of which can interfere with quality-of-life [ 5 ]. Added to this is the uncertainty surrounding prognosis; likewise, life or existential crises are not uncommon, requiring great effort to adjust and adapt [ 6 ]. This will not only affect the patient psychologically, but will also impact their ability to tolerate treatment and their socio-affective relations [ 7 ].…”

Quality of Life and Psychological Distress of Lung Cancer Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy

“…This result is in accordance with and reinforces the previous studies that reported a significant association between the symptoms of anxiety and depression and poor QoL [ 16 , 30 - 32 ]. Both psychological distress and poor QoL have been associated with adverse health outcomes in the cancer trajectory for several types of cancer [ 33 - 35 ]. This fact establishes the necessity of the implementation of interventions for reducing distress and promoting the QoL of cancer patients receiving chemotherapy [ 34 ].…”