Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder among Women with Breast Cancer in Iraq: A Preliminary Report

Abstract

Background: Diagnostic and statistical manual versions IV AND 5 recognized cancer (life threatening disease) a traumatic event. Exposure to trauma (war or violence) might lead to post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Publishing on PTSD after ca breast is scarce in Iraq. Objective: To comment on the prevalence of PTSD among females with ca breast. Method: A total of 70 women with cancer of breast after surgery was included in the study. Iraqi version Harvard Trauma Questionnaire (HTQ) was used. It is a self-completed questionnaire. Results: Out of the total, 81.4% were with PTSD. Women showing PTSD were significantly younger (46.5 ± 10.7 year) than those without PTSD (57.5 ± 10.7 year) (p = 0.002). Of those with PTSD, 93.6% were exposed to > 5 traumatic events during escalated violence in Iraq. The association between number of traumatic events and PTSD was significant (p = 0.001). Conclusion: High prevalence of PTSD among women treated from ca breast. Age and exposure to traumatic events are determinant of PTSD.