Background Sleep disturbances are common and symptomatic burden in patients with breast cancer, but they are poorly documented and managed in routine clinical practice. This descriptive and cross-sectional study evaluated factors associated with post-treatment sleep disturbances in patients with breast cancer. Patients and Methods Patients with breast cancer who underwent standard treatment were enrolled and surveyed for their basic demographic data and precancerous and cancer treatment-related factors; they were also administered self-report questionnaires including the Family Adaptation, Partnership, Growth, Affection, Resolve questionnaire; Impact of Event Scale; Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale; and Maudsley Personality Inventory. Their sleep disturbances were evaluated using the Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI). Independent sample t test and chi-square tests were used to compare the variables between patients with or without sleep disturbance, and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to detect the independent factors. Results In total, 448 patients, including 145 with PSQI ≤ 5 and 303 with PSQI > 5, completed the investigation. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that significantly more patients with sleep disturbances demonstrated psychological distress, severe pain, depression, and impact of stress events than patients without sleep disturbances (adjusted odds ratios [95% confidence intervals]: 2.83 [1.135–7.067], P = 0.026; 1.14 [1.023–1.280], P = 0.018; 1.08 [1.036–1.133], P < 0.001; and 1.03 [1.002–1.051], P = 0.037, respectively). Conclusion Patients with breast cancer showed 67.6% prevalence of sleep disturbances after treatment. The patients with sleep disturbances were more likely to have previously experienced psychological disturbances, severe pain, depression within 5 years after diagnosis. After diagnosis for more than 5 years, higher distress caused by traumatic events still associated with sleep disturbances.

PurposeAlthough post-traumatic growth (PTG) and post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) might develop and coexist after a major trauma, few studies have simultaneously examined them in patients with breast cancer. This study investigated the correlation between PTG and PTSS and their differential correlates in patients with breast cancer.Patients and methodsOverall, 145 patients with breast cancer were recruited. PTG and PTSS were assessed using the PTG inventory and the Chinese version of startle, physiological arousal, anger, and numbness, respectively. We investigated the effects of demographics, chemotherapy, depression, family support, alexithymia, and anxiety symptoms on PTG and PTSS. Multivariate linear regression analyses were performed to select the independent correlates of PTSS and PTG.ResultAn association was observed between PTG and PTSS (r = 0.21). Based on multiple regression models, the common correlate of PTG (β = 0.271) and PTSS (β = 0.212) was anxiety symptoms. Differential independent correlates were years of education (β = 0.272), receiving chemotherapy (β = 0.248), and family support (β = 0.259) for PTG, and chronic pain (β = 0.316) and poor cognition (β = −0.350) for PTSS.ConclusionDifferential correlates were observed for PTG and PTSS in patients with breast cancer. Possible mechanisms and relationships between PTG and PTSS were discussed.