The Prevalence of Anxiety and Depression in Breast Cancer Patients and their Correlation with Socio-Demographic Factors

Abstract

Introduction: Being diagnosed with breast cancer or receiving surgery, radiation or chemotherapy as a treatment modality in itself is seen as a traumatic experience for many women. This emotional distress is in turn associated with reduced quality of life and can pose a negative influence on compliance with treatment. Ultimately leading to an elevated risk of mortality which is also seen as the sixth vital sign in cancer care.Aim & Objectives: The purpose of our study is to estimate the prevalence of depression and anxiety in breast cancer patients and their correlation with socio-demographic factors. Materials and Methods: A cohort of 140 breast cancer patients registered in the Department of Radiation Oncology, SMS medical College, Jaipur from January 2022 to December 2022 were recruited and interviewed with a structured questionnaire including socio-clinical and demographic factors and PHQ-2 and GAD-2 scales. Results: Prevalence of depression among patients were 37.9% (53/140) and almost one third (33.6%, 47/140) of cases had anxiety. Around two thirds (69.3%, 97/140) cases had stage III breast cancer, followed by stage II in 23 (16.4%) cases and 20 (14.3%) cases had IV stage breast cancer. The place of residence, educational status, employment status, accompanying person and marital status emerged as significant predictors of depression risk, while age group, marital status and financial status were found to have statistically significant association with elevated anxiety symptoms.Conclusion: This study shows that prevalence of anxiety and depression in breast cancer patients is high and patients from rural areas, single, low monthly income, younger age group and low education level were more prone. Therefore, special care and support and often referral to psychiatry department may be required in such group of patients.