Indicators of distress in newly diagnosed breast cancer patients.

Andrea Chirico,Thomas V Merluzzi,Fabio Lucidi,Massimiliano D’Aiuto,Luca Mallia

doi:10.7717/peerj.1107

Abstract

Background. The diagnosis, treatment, and long-term management of cancer can present individuals with a multitude of stressors at various points in that trajectory. Psychosocial distress may appear early in the diagnostic process and have negative effects on compliance with treatment and subsequent quality of life.Purpose. The aim of the study was to determine early-phase predictors of distress before any medical treatment.Method. Consistent with the goals of the study, 123 newly diagnosed breast cancer patients (20 to 74 years old) completed multiple indicators of knowledge about breast cancer management and treatment, attitudes toward cancer, social support, coping efficacy, and distress.Results. SEM analysis confirmed the hypothesized model. Age was negatively associated with the patient’s knowledge (β = − 0.22), which, in turn, was positively associated with both attitudes toward breast cancer (β = 0.39) and coping self-efficacy (β = 0.36). Self-efficacy was then directly related to psychological distress (β = − 0.68).Conclusions. These findings establish indicators of distress in patients early in the cancer trajectory. From a practical perspective, our results have implications for screening for distress and for the development of early interventions that may be followed by healthcare professionals to reduce psychological distress.

Highlights

Cancer is the second leading cause of death among women in Italy, and breast cancer is the most prevalent type accounting for 17.1% of all cancer deaths in women each year
The prevalence of psychological distress among breast cancer patients is higher than the general population, which increases the risk for developing clinical levels of anxiety and depression (Burgess et al, 2005; Deshields et al, 2006; Mehnert & Koch, 2008; Vahdaninia, Omidvari & Montazeri, How to cite this article Chirico et al (2015), Indicators of distress in newly diagnosed breast cancer patients
The correlations between key constructs are presented in bolded text

Summary

Introduction

Cancer is the second leading cause of death among women in Italy, and breast cancer is the most prevalent type accounting for 17.1% of all cancer deaths in women each year. Research demonstrates that moderate to high levels of psychosocial distress appear early on in the cancer diagnosis process (e.g., Nosarti et al, 2001; Lauzier et al, 2010; Andreu et al, 2012; Costa-Requena, Rodrıguez & Fernandez-Ortega, 2013), it is important to determine the demographic, social, and psychological variables that mitigate or lessen that initial distress, which might set the course for coping with the disease and its treatments. Consistent with the goals of the study, 123 newly diagnosed breast cancer patients (20 to 74 years old) completed multiple indicators of knowledge about breast cancer management and treatment, attitudes toward cancer, social support, coping efficacy, and distress. These findings establish indicators of distress in patients early in the cancer trajectory. Our results have implications for screening for distress and for the development of early interventions that may be followed by healthcare professionals to reduce psychological distress

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion