Depression, Anxiety, Sexual Disorders and Influencing Factors in Patients with Breast Cancer

Abstract

<h3>Purpose/Objective(s)</h3> Based on the idea that the expected depression, anxiety and sexual disorders in cancer patients can be psycho-sociologically relieved when early detection and support is provided, we aimed to reveal the level of depression, anxiety and sexual dysfunction levels in our patients with breast cancer and the factors affecting this situation. <h3>Materials/Methods</h3> On a voluntary basis the study included 329 patients diagnosed with non-metastatic breast cancer whose surgery was completed. Eight centers were included in the study and ethics committee approval was obtained. Socio-demographic Information Form, Beck Depression and Anxiety Scale, Arizona Sexual Experiences Scale were used in the evaluation. <h3>Results</h3> As a result of the scale analysis, 220 (66.9%) patients had minimal and mild depression, 109 (33.1%) patients had moderate and severe depression. Anxiety was detected in 210 (63.8%) and anxiety was severe in 60 (18.2%) patients. The sexual scale score was above 15 in 49 (72.1%) patients. Scale analyzes were summarized in Table 1. According to age, depression was more common in the group over the age of 42 and sexual scores were found to be significantly higher (p:0.008). Anxiety, depression, and sexual scale scores were significantly higher in patients who: underwent mastectomy, were not informed about sexual side effects, were not satisfied with the surgery, were smokers, and had comorbid diabetes. Depression and sexual scores were found to be significantly higher in patients with tumor size greater than 2.5 cm, depression and anxiety scores were found to be significantly higher in node positive patients, and sexual scores were found to be significantly higher in those that had less than high school education. Having or not having family history of cancer, marital status, presence of hypertension, or alcohol use were found to have no effect on the scales. <h3>Conclusion</h3> In our study, minimal to severe depression was found in all patients. The incidence of anxiety is also high. Sexual function scores were also found to be high in patients with anxiety and depression, indicating that these patients have sexual dysfunction. These results demonstrate the importance of closely monitoring anxiety and depression levels during oncological treatment in breast cancer patients and to get psychiatric support when necessary. Oncology physicians did not provide the necessary information about sexual side effects to their patients that may be adversely affected both by organ loss and hormonally. Our aim should not only be just focusing on the treatment of cancer, but also to support our patients in their psychological and sexual health for their quality of life.