Assessment of Depression and Anxiety in Breast Cancer Patients Undergoing Radiotherapy in Palestine
Date
2020-11-10
Authors
ALMasri, Hussein
Rimawi, Omar
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Springer
Abstract
The aim of this study was to assess experienced depression and anxiety among early breast cancer patients during radiotherapy.
Women who started radiotherapy for breast cancer (n = 125) were asked to answer two questionnaires: The Hospital Anxiety and
Depression Scale (HADS) and Radiotherapy Categorical Anxiety Scale during radiation therapy. The highest mean for anxiety
and depression was for those who received education more than BA (SD = 3.2) and those who received less than secondary
education (SD = 3.16), respectively. Also, the highest mean for patients’ number of children related with anxiety was for those
who have more than three children (SD = 2.87), while for depression was (SD = 3.01). Anxiety and depression were also
correlated to patient age where both showed the highest mean for those who aged between 31 and 40 (SD = 2.89), and those
who are more than 51 years old (SD = 3.15), respectively. The highest anxiety and depression mean for treatment duration was
for those treated for more than 3 months (SD = 3.2), and for those treated between 1 and 3 months (SD = 3), respectively. Some
intervention may be needed to decrease the temporary anxiety and depression raised during radiotherapy for early-stage breast
cancer patients.
Description
Keywords
Breast cancer , Radiotherapy , Anxiety , Depression