Evaluation of anxiety and depression levels of women with breast cancer

Objective: This study aimed to assess the psychological problems of women with breast cancer. Methodology: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted between April and July 2022 at Al-Sadr Training Hospital and the oncology center. The study sample consisted of 218 patients who agreed to participate in the study at the time of data collection. A Personal Information Form and the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS21) were used to collect the data. Results: It was found that 42.7% of the study groups were aged -56, 87.6%, married and 67.9% were housewives. Income was 42.7% less than expenses, 33.9% of the participants had graduated from high school, 52.3% had a family history of breast cancer, 60.1% had a time elapsed from surgery between mastectomy, 38.1% were at 13 months or longer, 23.9% had radiotherapy, and 52.8% had a diagnosis myself. Half of the participants (52.8%) were identified as suffering from major depression, 50.5% from severe anxiety, and 45.0% from normal stress levels. It was determined that DASS21 depression, anxiety and stress scores were higher in age group 56, single, those whose income was less than expenses, college graduates, those who had surgery 13 months ago and those with a family history of breast cancer, who had surgery Breast preservation and radiotherapy. The difference compared to the other groups was significant (p≤0.05). Conclusion: The anxiety, depression, and stress were affected by variables as age, income, educational level, time elapsing since surgery, marital status, work status, family history, type of surgical and radiotherapy received.