Adjustment In Breast Cancer Patients Research Articles

The effect of illness perception on psychosocial adjustment of patients with breast cancer and their spouses: actor–partner independence model

ObjectiveWith the increase in the prevalence rate and improvements in the survival of breast cancer patients, there is a growing interest in understanding the level of psychosocial adjustment in these patients. The study aimed to describe the illness perception and psychosocial adjustment levels of both breast cancer patients and their spouses, to use the Actor-Partner Interdependence Model (APIM) to clarify the actor-partner relationships between spouses, and to explore the impact of illness perception on psychosocial adjustment to the disease within the joint actions of both spouses.MethodsA total of 216 female patients with breast cancer and their spouses participated in the study. They were selected from two tertiary hospitals in Guangdong Province, China from October 2022 to May 2023 using a convenience sampling method. The participants were assessed using the Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire and the Psychosocial Adjustment to Illness Scale to examine the relationship between illness perception and psychosocial adjustment. AMOS24.0 was used to test and analyze the actor-partner interdependence model.ResultsThe illness perception score (57.75 ± 10.91) was slightly higher than that of the spouse (57.10 ± 11.00), and the psychosocial adjustment score (64.67 ± 6.33) was slightly lower than that of the spouse (64.76 ± 7.49). The results of the actor-partner interdependence model indicated that there was a couple partner between breast cancer patients and their spouses: the spouse’s illness perception significantly affected the patient’s psychosocial adjustment (β = 0.095, p = 0.015); the patient’s illness perception also significantly affected the spouse’s psychosocial adjustment (β = 0.106, p = 0.033). Among them, the patient’s psychosocial adjustment was found to be related to the patient’s illness comprehensibility or coherence of illness (β = 0.433, p = 0.009), the spouse’s emotional illness representation (β = 0.218, p = 0.037), and the spouse’s illness comprehensibility or coherence of illness (β = 0.416, p = 0.007), while the spouse’s psychosocial adjustment was only related to the spouse’s illness comprehensibility or coherence of illness (β = 0.528, p = 0.007).ConclusionsThe psychosocial adjustment of breast cancer patients is affected by both their own and spouse’s illness perception. Therefore, in the future, the healthcare staff can implement early psychological interventions for patients diagnosed with breast cancer and their spouses as a unit to promote the psychosocial adjustment of them.

Perceived spouse unsupportive behaviors in women with breast cancer and their spouses

Introduction. Unsupportive responses from relatives, particularly spouses, play a significant role in the psychological adjustment of breast cancer patients and their spouses. Failure to meet the physical and psychological needs of breast cancer patients and their spouses can lead to anxiety, depression, and numerous marital problems. The aim of this study was designed to describe perceived spouse unsupportive behaviors in women with breast cancer and their spouses. Material and methods. This is a cross-sectional study. A total of 220 women with breast cancer along with their husbands participated in this study through random sampling. In the present study, data collection was performed using a demographic information checklist and a questionnaire. Results. The mean perceived women’s unsupportive behavior (20.73 ± 8.44) was higher than that of men’s (18.80 ± 5.83), which was statistically significant (p = 0.003). The mean score of perceived women’s unsupportive behavior in the categories of marital status, companion, place of residence, men’s and women’s occupation, and the type of residential house, and the mean score of perceived men’s unsupportive behavior in the category of current treatment were different. Conclusions. Women perceive their spouses’ behaviors as less supportive than their spouses’ perceptions of women’s behavior, which highlights the need for husbands to be more attentive to the impact of their behavior on their wives. Furthermore, talking with each other about problems is the most imperative factor in perceiving support by couples; accordingly, it can be concluded that couples who are reluctant to talk to each other concerning the problem perceive less mutual support.

The Importance of Alexithymia in Post-surgery. Differences on Body Image and Psychological Adjustment in Breast Cancer Patients.

Breast cancer is a disease that is difficult to face and that often hinders body acceptance. Body changes due to surgery can be very emotionally challenging for those who experience them. The aim of this study is to explore the differences on body image and psychological adjustment on women with breast cancer with high and low alexithymia according to the type of surgery. In this cross-sectional study, 119 women diagnosed with breast cancer (stages I, II, and III) were evaluated with different self-report questionnaires. Afterward, patients were divided into two groups (high and low levels of alexithymia) to analyze dependent variables (body image and psychological adjustment) according to the type of surgery (radical mastectomy or breast conserving therapy). The results of the General Linear Model suggest that when patients show high alexithymia combined with having undergone a radical mastectomy, they show higher levels of Hopelessness. Furthermore, in patients with high alexithymia, higher scores of maladaptive coping styles and greater distortion of body image were found. Alexithymia seems to play an important role in the way in which women cope with their disease, especially in those with radical mastectomy.

Personality Profiles and Psychological Adjustment in Breast Cancer Patients.

Dispositional personality characteristics may play a role in psychosocial adjustment to any disease, including cancer. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to identify personality profiles in breast cancer patients and to determine whether these profiles are associated with psychological adjustment or psychopathology. Methods: Participants were 109 women (mean age, 52.01) diagnosed with breast cancer. They completed the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory-III (MCMI-III), the Life Orientation Test-Revised (LOT-R), the Satisfaction with Life Scale, and the Positive and Negative Affect Scales. Results: The analysis revealed two different personality profiles: (a) one group, comprising 38.23% of the sample, was characterized by paranoid, negativistic, and dependent personality traits and was considered as a “vulnerable group”; and (b) another group (61.77%) was characterized by compulsive, histrionic, and narcissistic personality traits and was considered as a “psychologically adjusted group”. The vulnerable group scored higher than the psychologically adjusted group on all clinical syndromes, with scores above 60 on the anxiety, somatoform, dysthymic, and bipolar scales (score on anxiety being above 75); in contrast, the psychologically adjusted group did not reach a base rate score of 60 on any of the clinical syndromes, showing no manifestations of psychopathology. Additionally, the vulnerable group scored lower than the psychologically adjusted group on optimism, life satisfaction, and positive affect, but higher on negative affect. Conclusions: The results suggest that personality traits could affect the psychological adjustment of breast cancer survivors. We discuss the implications of belonging to each group and highlight the importance of early identification of vulnerable women in order to facilitate clinical and psychological support.

The effct of peer education on the self-efficy and mental adjustment of breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy

Background: Breast cancer ranks the first common cancer in women in Iran and is the fifth mostcommon cause of death. Peer education on the self-efficacy and mental adjustment of breastcancer patients undergoing chemotherapy can contribute to their easier adaptation to the disease.This study aimed to determine the improved mental adjustment and self-efficacy for womenundergoing chemotherapy through peer education.
 Study Design: This study was conductedusing pre- and post-test follow up and control design approach. 70 women with breast cancerwho underwent chemotherapy in Nemazi hospital participated in this study.
 Method: Usingconvenient sampling, the participant were selected and randomly assigned into two groups. Theexperimental group was randomly assigned to four groups and peer education was conductedone educational session per week for 6 weeks. To assess mental adjustment and self-efficacybefore and after the study, Mini-Mental Adjustment to Cancer Scale (Mini-MAC) and Self-Efficacy Scale for Self-Management of Breast Cancer (SESSM-B) questionnaires were used.Chi-square and t-test were used to analyze the data.
 Results: For the experimental group, theresults showed statistically significant improvement in self-efficacy (p<0.000) while the controlgroup showed no significant difference in self-efficacy. Mental adjustment inside each groupshowed a significant increase over the time, but no statistically difference was observed betweenthe groups.
 Conclusion: It is suggested that peer led education is a useful teaching strategy asa supportive intervention for women undergoing chemotherapy to improve their self-efficacyregarding breast cancer.
 Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science Vol.19(3) 2020 p.558-566

Psychological Systematic Consideration of Breast Cancer Radiotherapy

In term of the factors affecting psychosocial adjustment of breast cancer patients, their quality of life after surgical operation, radiation, and chemotherapy were systematically meta-analyzed. As a result, their qualities of life of the patients that had radiation therapy was the lowest right after the therapy, and gradually increased after the end of the therapy. However, after six months, their quality of life failed to reach the same level before the therapy. They had depression and side effects the most right after the therapy, and somewhat reduced them after the end of the therapy. In case of surgical operation, the more they were educated, the more they had psychosocial adjustment, and the more they had a medical examination and took out an insurance policy, the more they had psychosocial adjustment. In case of chemotherapy, their cognitive function is influenced so that they have impairments in memory, learning, and thinking stages. Since subjective cognitive impairment has a relationship with depression, it is necessary to monitor depression of chemotherapy patients. Given the results of this systematic meta-analysis, when three types of therapies (surgical operation, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy) are applied to patients with breast cancer, it is necessary to recognize their psychosocial adjustment, depression, anxiety, and quality of life in the nursing and radiation therapy fields and thereby to introduce an intervention program for a holistic approach.

Abstract 3457: Social support as emotional adjustment determinant of breast cancer patients after surgery in selected hospitals in Nigeria

Abstract Breast cancer is the most common invasive cancer and a leading cause of premature mortality for females worldwide. It accounts for 16% of all female cancers; 18.2% of all cancer deaths globally are from breast cancer. Social support plays a major role in modifying negative effect of this disease on affected individuals. It is an important psychosocial resource for coping with stressful life events. This study was carried out to examine social support as determinant of emotional adjustment of breast cancer patients after surgery in selected hospitals in Ibadan, Nigeria. This cross-sectional descriptive survey utilized a quantitative approach. A sample of two hundred and eighteen patients was randomly selected from hospitals in Ibadan. The respondents were reassured of confidentiality of the data. The instrument used basically was self-structured questionnaire. Data were collected, coded and analyzed using Pearson correlation coefficient. The respondents’ ages were between 21- 51 years; 87.2% were females, majority of them (81.6%) were Christians, more than half (62.4%) were married, about one third (31.2%) had higher qualifications, 55.0% were civil servants and 74.3% were living with other family members. Result findings show that instrumental support had significant effect on emotional adjustment of the breast cancer patients after surgery. Family and friends helping the patients had a positive effect on their emotional adjustment. Therefore, it was revealed that instrumental support had a positive effect on emotional adjustment of the patients (r.cal = .217, r. critical = .195, P < 0.05). Also, emotional support had a significant effect on emotional adjustment of the patients after surgery. Having family members and friends to talk to and help with personal problems was helpful to emotional adjustment. Thus it was evident that emotional support had a positive effect on emotional adjustment (r. cal = .250, r. critical = .195, P < 0.05) The patients admitted that they had friends and family members who helped them and were a source of comfort to them. This helped them to show a better psychological and emotional adjustment to breast cancer than those who did not have support. It is recommended that adequate attention be given to financial, material and emotional needs of the breast cancer patient. Keywords: Social support, determinant, emotional adjustment, breast cancer patients. Citation Format: Christiana Oluseun Oyewusi, Samuel Oyebode Oyewusi. Social support as emotional adjustment determinant of breast cancer patients after surgery in selected hospitals in Nigeria. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 107th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2016 Apr 16-20; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(14 Suppl):Abstract nr 3457.

The effect of a pathology clinic on the mental state and adjustment of patients with breast cancer.

In this study, we examine whether a pathology clinic, conducted by pathologists, a novel medical tool that provides an explanation for the diagnosis of a cancer, can influence the mental state and adjustment of breast cancer patients. We created a paper-based questionnaire and interviewed targeted breast cancer patients, who had undergone radical surgery, before and after they visited the clinic. We found that there may be increased motivation for treatment, a greater sense of reassurance, and reduced anxiety (as indicated by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS)) in the group that attended the clinic. Our results suggest that visiting the pathology clinic may reduce anxiety over the short term. On the other hand, Mental Adjustment to Cancer (MAC) Anxious Preoccupation scores were significantly higher in this group as well, both before and after attendance, compared to the group that did not attend. The attending group may have reduced anxiety by such actions as collecting medical data on the cause of their anxiety and adopting healthier behaviors. Our findings suggest that appropriate emotional support and provision of medical information are very important in dealing with patient anxiety.

168 Psychosocial adjustment of breast cancer patients who are undergoing chemotherapy

years, the number of cancer victims is estimated as 19.3 million. The diagnosis of cancer causes serious physical, psychological and social distress to patient and their family members and can have severe consequences for the family. Therefore, the quality of life the family members caring for patients treated by chemotherapy is negatively affected. They are at high risk of becoming anxious and depressed in response to the critical situation. Material and Method: The study was conducted to determine the quality of life the family members caring for patients treated by chemotherapy. The population and sample of the study was consisted of 101 patients who agreed to participate in the study, 18–65 age group, patients treated by chemotherapy in Chemotherapy Unit of Karadeniz Technical University Farabi Hospital. Data was collected by using the family members information form and The Quality of Life The Family Members Caring for A Cancer Patient Scale (Quality of Life Family Version). The study results were analyzed using a percentage and Chi-squared test. Results and Discussion: The mean age of the family members was 41±12.34 years, 51.5% were women, 78.2% were married, 74.3% had children, 72.3% were unemployed and 38.7% were the offsprings of the patients. The mean value of family members’ total quality of life was 145.37±45.92. Also, family members’ mean quality of life scores were lowest on the Psychological and Spiritual State of Health (56.29±18.84), Physical State of Health 47.18±18.29, Approach to the Diagnosis State (23.08±12.12) and The State of Support and Being Influenced Economically (18.91±7.36). Conclusion: This results showed that the family members’ quality of life cores were quite low. Therefore, nurses must continue to work hard to focus not only on the disease and its symptoms, but also on the impact on living of the patient with cancer and their family members. Home visits may empower patients and caregivers by giving them information and professional support. No conflict of interest.

A Randomized Controlled Trial of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for Women With Early-Stage Breast Cancer Receiving Radiotherapy

To testthe relative effectiveness of a mindfulness-based stress reduction program (MBSR) compared with a nutrition education intervention (NEP) and usual care (UC) in women with newly diagnosed early-stage breast cancer (BrCA)undergoing radiotherapy. Datawere available from a randomized controlled trialof 172 women, 20 to 65 years old, with stage I or II BrCA. Data from women completing the 8-week MBSR program plus 3 additional sessions focuses on special needs associated with BrCA were compared to women receiving attention control NEP and UC. Follow-up was performed at 3 post-intervention points: 4 months, and 1 and 2 years. Standardized, validated self-administered questionnaires were used to assess psychosocial variables. Descriptive analyses compared women by randomization assignment. Regression analyses, incorporating both intention-to-treat and post hoc multivariable approaches, were used to control for potential confounding variables. A subset of 120 women underwent radiotherapy; 77 completed treatment prior to the study, and 40 had radiotherapy during the MBSR intervention. Women who actively received radiotherapy (art) while participating in the MBSR intervention (MBSR-art) experienced a significant (P < .05) improvement in 16 psychosocial variables compared with the NEP-art, UC-art, or both at 4 months. These included health-related, BrCA-specific quality of life and psychosocial coping, which were the primary outcomes, and secondary measures, including meaningfulness, helplessness, cognitive avoidance, depression, paranoid ideation, hostility, anxiety, global severity, anxious preoccupation, and emotional control. MBSR appears to facilitate psychosocial adjustment in BrCA patients receiving radiotherapy, suggesting applicability for MBSR as adjunctive therapy in oncological practice.

Pathways for psychological adjustment in breast cancer: A longitudinal study on coping strategies and posttraumatic growth

This longitudinal study examined the role of coping strategies and posttraumatic growth (PTG) on the psychological adjustment to breast cancer trajectory. The participants were 50 women assessed at the time of surgery (T1), during adjuvant treatment (T2) and six months after the end of treatment (T3). Women completed questionnaires assessing coping strategies, PTG and psychological adjustment (psychological quality of life, anxiety and depression). Results showed that the greatest impact of breast cancer on women's adjustment occurred at T1, when patients were significantly more anxious than in the other phases of the disease. The type of surgery and adjuvant treatment did not account for the course of PTG and adjustment. Coping through seeking social support and using cognitive strategies at T1 were linked to psychological quality of life and depression at T3 via PTG dimension of personal resources and skills at T2. Findings emphasise the value of promoting adaptive coping strategies and PTG in order to improve psychological adjustment in breast cancer patients.

Negative support of significant others affects psychological adjustment in breast cancer patients

Significant others play an important role in providing support in patients’ lives, but some types of support negatively affect the patients. This study was conducted in early-stage breast cancer patients to examine the structure of support, which was provided by their significant others and assessed negatively by the patients, and to identify negative support relating to the psychological adjustment of these patients. Thus, we first conducted interviews among 28 breast cancer patients to identify these support items assessed as negative; next, we conducted a questionnaire survey using the resulting items in 109 postoperative patients who had early-stage breast cancer. We performed exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses and obtained a valid second-order factor structure, including superordinate factors (excessive engagement, avoidance of problems and underestimation) and subordinate factors (overprotection, encouragement and management). Among these factors, the avoidance of problems was the only factor to be negatively associated with psychological adjustment of the patients, suggesting that these patients receive problem-avoiding support. The results of our study suggest that such problem-avoiding support from significant others can be counter-productive and potentially worsen the psychological adjustment of breast cancer patients.

A longitudinal study about the body image and psychosocial adjustment of breast cancer patients during the course of the disease

Purpose The research of body image among breast cancer patients is characterized by some limitations, such as the lack of longitudinal studies or the absence of a multidimensional perspective of body image. This study intends to overcome these limitations, by examining the evolution of body image dimensions (investment, emotions and evaluations) from the period of surgery (T1) to 6-months after the treatment’s ending (T2). It also aims to explore the predictors of body image at T2 and, simultaneously, the predictive role of initial body image to psychosocial adjustment at T2. Methods A total of 56 breast cancer patients participated in both assessments and completed a battery of instruments that included measures of body image dimensions (appearance investment, self-consciousness of appearance, shame and appearance satisfaction) and psychosocial adjustment (quality of life and emotional distress). Results Within the dimensions of body image, only shame increased over time. In general, initial levels of investment predicted subsequent body image dimensions and having a mastectomy done was associated with higher shame and lower appearance satisfaction at T2. Initial body image did not predict later adjustment, with the exception of depression, where appearance investment played a relevant role. Conclusions Our findings contributed to the advance of knowledge in this area, providing relevant data about the evolution of body image dimensions, its predictors and its predictive role on psychosocial adjustment among breast cancer patients. This study also suggested some clinical implications that can assist health professionals to implement strategies focused on body image throughout the disease.

The role of appearance investment in the adjustment of women with breast cancer

Appearance investment can be considered an important factor in the explanation of individual differences in adjustment to breast cancer. This study aims to analyze the role of this variable on a set of adjustment outcomes, namely, quality of life (QOL), emotional adjustment (depression and anxiety) and fear of negative evaluations. The differential role of motivational salience facet of appearance investment (MS; the individual's efforts to be or feel attractive), conceptualized as a protective factor, and of self-evaluative salience facet (SES; the importance an individual places on physical appearance for their definition of self-worth), conceptualized as a vulnerability factor, is explored. This cross-sectional study included 117 Portuguese breast cancer patients (mean age=52.47; SD=8.81), on average 2.32 months (SD=2.17) post-diagnosis. Appearance investment was measured by the ASI-R; QOL by the WHOQOL-bref; emotional adjustment by the HADS; and fear of negative evaluations by the FNE (Portuguese versions). Several hierarchical multiple regressions were conducted for each outcome, using investment facets as a predictor variable. Both facets of investment contributed to the explanation of social (p<or=0.001) and psychological (p<or=0.001) QOL and also depression (p<or=0.001), with SES being associated with poorer results and MS with better outcomes. SES also predicted higher levels of fear of negative evaluations (p<or=0.001). This study provided significant information about the role of appearance investment in the adjustment of breast cancer patients and added empirical support to SES-MS distinction.

Sexual Adjustment and Body Image Scale (SABIS): A New Measure for Breast Cancer Patients

The purpose of this study was to develop and validate a self-report measure of body image and sexual adjustment in breast cancer patients: the Sexual Adjustment and Body Image Scale (SABIS). Three hundred and fifty three women diagnosed with primary breast cancer that had completed initial surgical treatment completed the SABIS and five measures of psychological, psychosocial, and sexual functioning. Psychometric properties of the SABIS were examined and it was found to be a reliable and valid means of assessing body image and sexuality in breast cancer patients following surgery.

Patterns of Objective Physical Functioning and Perception of Mood and Fatigue in Posttreatment Breast Cancer Patients and Healthy Controls: An Ambulatory Psychophysiological Investigation

To monitor objective physiological and self-report measures among apparently disease-free breast cancer patients (n = 33) in the first 2 years of posttreatment recovery, using a cross-sectional design, and compare findings with women without histories of cancer or other serious disorders (n =33). Time-since-treatment also served as an independent variable. Few studies have examined adjustment of breast cancer patients after primary treatment or objectively characterized posttreatment, everyday patterns of functioning. A 24-hour ambulatory minute-by-minute cardiorespiratory functioning and accelerometry activity were measured during one day, together with multiple repeated assessments of mood and fatigue. Traditional retrospective measures of well-being were also evaluated. Our ambulatory methodology permitted estimation of physiological rhythms of cardiorespiratory and accelerometry activity. Patients reported lower ambulatory levels of energy and poorer mood during the daytime than controls. Time-since-treatment was related directly to both momentary mood and energy as well as to objective measures of activity and respiratory parameters. Retrospective self-reports of impaired mood and symptoms persisted in patients, independently of time-since-treatment and of ambulatory physical or physiological activity. Ambulatory self-report data were associated with concurrent respiratory measures. Chemotherapy-related elevation of heart rate was found but was unrelated to self-report measures. Impaired sense of well being based on retrospective measures is not associated with pattern of physical or physiological functioning after treatment for breast cancer. However, ambulatory, momentary levels of mood and fatigue seem to be related to concurrent ventilatory activity and time-since-treatment. This is the first investigation that relates ambulatory and retrospective measures of affect and fatigue to concurrent, real-life physical functioning.

Early psychological adjustment in breast cancer patients: A prospective study

Objective: A significant proportion of breast cancer patients experiences psychiatric morbidity in the first year after a breast cancer diagnosis and/or beginning of treatment. This study attempted to identify and understand the risk factors for developing such problems. Methods: A consecutive series of 87 patients, aged 40–75 years, was assessed prior to diagnosis of breast cancer and followed-up approximately 8 weeks after beginning of cancer treatment and again 9 months after first follow-up. Assessments included measures of psychiatric morbidity using the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12), coping style using the Mental Adjustment to Cancer (MAC) Scale, symptom attribution, beliefs about breast cancer, social support, socio-demographic and clinical variables. Results: A total of 85.1% of patients completed both follow-ups. Pre-diagnostically, 32.2% of breast cancer patients scored as a GHQ-12 ‘case.’ GHQ scores fell significantly between pre-diagnostic and both post-diagnostic assessments, especially in women who had thought they had cancer. Predictors of psychological morbidity at first follow-up included pre-diagnostic GHQ-12 score, lack of social support and feelings of ‘personal responsibility/avoidance.’ GHQ-12 ‘caseness’ at second follow-up was predicted by lack of social support alone. Conclusions: Overall, psychiatric morbidity is higher prior to, than following, a definitive diagnosis of breast cancer. Early reactions of this kind are predictive of post-treatment adjustment. However, only the presence of social support in this study seems to be associated with successful adjustment in the first year following a breast cancer diagnosis. Women at increased risk of psychological morbidity after a breast cancer diagnosis may be thus identifiable and targeted therapeutically.

Psychological predictors of marital adjustment in breast cancer patients

The present research consists of two studies examining the psychological predictors of marital adjustment in Chinese breast cancer patients and their husbands in Hong Kong. In Study 1, measures of marital adjustment, body image, dyadic perspective-taking and perception of partner's dyadic perspective-taking were administered to a sample of 86 breast cancer patients and 46 husbands of these patients. In Study 2, semi-structured interviews were conducted as a supplement of Study 1. Results showed that four psychological variables were found to be significantly associated with the breast cancer patients' marital adjustment, namely the patients' self perspective-taking and the patients' perception of their husbands' perspective-taking, the husbands' perception of partners' perspective-taking and the husbands' perception of their wives' physical appearance. Moreover, two psychological variables were found to be associated with the husbands' marital adjustment, namely the husbands' self perspective-taking and their psychological distress.

Mental adjustment to first recurrence and correlated factors in patients with breast cancer.

Previous reports have demonstrated that breast cancer patients felt that news of their recurrence was more upsetting than their initial diagnosis. However, no studies have examined the factors that are correlated with mental adjustment in breast cancer patients who experienced recurrence. The authors investigated factors that are correlated with mental adjustment styles of fighting spirit or helplessness/hopelessness in women with breast cancer with a first recurrence. Fifty-five participants were interviewed and completed the Mental Adjustment to Cancer scale. Factors that correlated significantly with fighting spirit were performance status and history of major depression, while factors that correlated significantly with helplessness/hopelessness were age, pain, and history of major depression. These findings suggest that it is necessary to provide intervention for first recurrent breast cancer patients who have such biomedical factors, as young age, poor performance status, pain, and history of major depression to help them better cope with cancer.

Receptor status and psychological adjustment of breast cancer patients

Receptor status and psychological adjustment of breast cancer patients