Abstract
BackgroundThe majority of breast cancer patients are severely psychologically affected by breast cancer diagnosis and subsequent therapeutic procedures. The COVID-19 pandemic and associated restrictions on public life have additionally caused significant psychological distress for much of the population. It is therefore plausible that breast cancer patients might be particularly susceptible to the additional psychological stress caused by the pandemic, increasing suffering. In this study we therefore aimed to assess the level of psychological distress currently experienced by a defined group of breast cancer patients in our breast cancer centre, compared to distress levels pre-COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsFemale breast cancer patients of all ages receiving either adjuvant, neoadjuvant, or palliative therapies were recruited for the study. All patients were screened for current or previous COVID-19 infection. The participants completed a self-designed COVID-19 pandemic questionnaire, the Stress and Coping Inventory (SCI), the National Comprehensive Cancer Network® (NCCN®) Distress Thermometer (DT), the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) QLQ C30, and the BR23.ResultsEighty-two breast cancer patients were included. Therapy status and social demographic factors did not have a significant effect on the distress caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The results of the DT pre and during COVID-19 pandemic did not differ significantly. Using the self-designed COVID-19 pandemic questionnaire, we detected three distinct subgroups demonstrating different levels of concerns in relation to SARS-CoV-2. The subgroup with the highest levels of concern reported significantly decreased life quality, related parameters and symptoms.ConclusionsThis monocentric study demonstrated that the COVID-19 pandemic significantly affected psychological health in a subpopulation of breast cancer patients. The application of a self-created “COVID-19 pandemic questionnaire” could potentially be used to help identify breast cancer patients who are susceptible to increased psychological distress due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and therefore may need additional intensive psychological support.Trial registrationDRKS-ID: DRKS00022507.
Highlights
The majority of breast cancer patients are severely psychologically affected by breast cancer diagno‐ sis and subsequent therapeutic procedures
Basic characteristics of the study population Eighty-two breast cancer patients between the ages of 31 and 76 years participated in the study
The study population consisted of 26 breast cancer patients undergoing adjuvant therapies, 26 breast cancer patients undergoing neoadjuvant therapies, and 30 patients undergoing palliative care
Summary
The majority of breast cancer patients are severely psychologically affected by breast cancer diagno‐ sis and subsequent therapeutic procedures. It is plausible that breast cancer patients might be susceptible to the additional psychological stress caused by the pandemic, increasing suffering. Cancer patients are usually able to develop coping strategies because of direct contact with other cancer patients undergoing treatment, and regular contact with clinical psychiatrists, psychologists and self-help groups. Contact with these sources of help has been inhibited due to the COVID-19 pandemic. For cancer patients the COVID19 pandemic presents an extreme additional psychological stress factor that should not be ignored by health services [6, 7]
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