Unmet needs of women with breast cancer during and after primary treatment: A prospective study in Denmark

Heymann, Annika von; Dalton, Susanne Oksbjerg; Dziekanska, Angelika; Christensen, Jane; Andersen, Ingelise; Mertz, Birgitte Goldschmidt; Olsen, Maja Halgren; Johansen, Christoffer; Bidstrup, Pernille Envold

doi:10.3109/0284186x.2012.746468

Cited by 55 publications

(57 citation statements)

References 22 publications

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“…The prevalence of psychological distress in cancer patients is reported to be above 30%. [4, 6] Despite its impact on the daily functioning, distress in cancer patients is often overlooked and under-treated [6–8], which possibly lead to poor treatment compliance and survival [9]. In 2003, the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) use the word “distress” to describe the psychiatric problem in cancer patients because it is more accepted and less stigmatizing than other psychological or psychiatric term.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Perceived distress and its association with depression and anxiety in breast cancer patients

et al. 2017

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BackgroundBreast cancer patients often experience a high level of distress. Psychological distress is a broad construct encompass both depression and anxiety. Previous studies in examining which of these psychological symptoms (either anxiety or depression) were more significantly associated with the distress level in breast cancer patients is lacking. This study aims to compare the level of depression and anxiety between patients with different level of distress. The correlation between the changes in distress level with depression or anxiety over 12 months was also examined.MethodsThis study is from the MyBCC cohort study. Two hundred and twenty one female breast cancer patients were included into the study. They were assessed at the time of diagnosis, 6 months and 12 month using Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and distress thermometer. The information on age, ethnicity, treatment types and staging of cancer were collected.Results50.2%, 51.6% and 40.3% of patients had perceived high level of distress at baseline, 6 months and 1 year after diagnosis. Those with high perceived level of distress had significant higher anxiety scores even after adjusted for the underlying depressive scores (Adjusted OR at baseline = 1.28, 95% CI = 1.13–1.44; adjusted OR at 6 months = 1.27, 95% CI = 1.11–1.45; adjusted OR at 12 months = 1.51, 95% CI = 1.29–1.76). There were no significant differences in the depressive scores between the subjects with either low or high distress level. There was reduction in perceived level of distress, anxiety and depression scores at 12 months after the diagnosis. The decrease of distress was positively correlated with the reduction of anxiety scores but not the changes of depressive scores (r’ = 0.25).ConclusionAnxiety is a more significant psychological state that contributed to the feeling of distress in breast cancer as compared with depression. Levels of anxiety at diagnosis in this study would justify screening for anxiety, early identification and therapy for maintaining the psychological well-being of breast cancer patients. Further studies will be needed to measure the effectiveness of therapeutic interventions.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Perceived distress and its association with depression and anxiety in breast cancer patients

et al. 2017

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“…Despite research documenting that patients report many unmet needs over the course of the breast cancer journey [33], little work has focused on informational interventions for breast cancer patients who also have low health literacy, as well as how these needs are evolving in the changing landscape of the web (e.g., search strategies, social networks, YouTube). Our tools are novel in this respect.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

“…Given that 60% of Canadians and 88% of seniors may have limited health literacy [33], this is clearly an important area for health care providers to consider when working with patients at any point on the cancer care continuum.…”

Section: Practice Implicationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Development of multimedia informational tools for breast cancer patients with low levels of health literacy

Hart

Blacker

Panjwani

et al. 2015

Patient Education and Counseling

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“…Previously poor psychological functioning was overlooked (Fallowfield & Jenkins ) and frequently undertreated (Von Heymann‐Horan et al . ). However, contemporary literature identifies that the long‐term (>5 years) needs of breast cancer survivors is a key gap in cancer survivorship research (Eccles et al .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

‘Dropped from the system’: the experiences and challenges of long‐term breast cancer survivors

Matthews

Semper

2017

Journal of Advanced Nursing

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'Dropped from the system': the experiences and challenges of long term breast cancer survivors. AbstractAims: The aim of this study was to explore breast cancer patients' experiences during survivorship. Particular attention is given to the role of specialist breast care nurses in supporting women throughout this phase.Background: There is a relative lack of research involving long term breast cancer survivors.Yet, many survivors experience substantial psychosocial and iatrogenic harms created by diagnosis, symptoms of disease and treatment. A more comprehensive understanding may assist in supporting the needs of breast cancer survivors.Design: An exploratory qualitative approach was used to collect data on breast cancer survivors' experiences during 2013.Methods: Semi-structured interview data were collected from seven British women aged 38-80 years exploring the support received during survivorship. Data were analysed using Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis.Findings: Breast cancer survivors perceived a systemic absence in support from oncology teams and rapid deterioration of support from personal support networks. Despite this, survivors were able to find benefits from the cancer experience. This allowed for adjustment and enabled patients to assume a new identity as a breast cancer survivor. We recommend specialist breast care nurses would be suitably placed to provide extended support allowing for a salient transition from treatment to survivorship. How should the findings be used to influence policy, practise, research and education? Given the long-term unmet needs of breast cancer survivors and the continually increasing number of survivors, the findings of this study need to be more fully addressed both in terms of research and intervention. The findings of this study could be used as preliminary evidence, to highlight the need for continuation of support and phased termination of support, to replace the abrupt termination of support reported by breast cancer survivors at the end of treatment. Breast care nurses are a vital and somewhat limited resource. Consequently, resources should only be targeted at those who require additional support. The costeffectiveness of providing continuing support and the mode of administration (i.e. over the phone or videoconferencing) requires further research.

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Unmet needs of women with breast cancer during and after primary treatment: A prospective study in Denmark

Cited by 55 publications

References 22 publications

Perceived distress and its association with depression and anxiety in breast cancer patients

Perceived distress and its association with depression and anxiety in breast cancer patients

Development of multimedia informational tools for breast cancer patients with low levels of health literacy

‘Dropped from the system’: the experiences and challenges of long‐term breast cancer survivors

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