Anxiety and depression levels in patients with breast cancer before and after surgical treatment

Objective: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the level of depression and anxiety at before, early and late phase of surgical treatment in patients with breast cancer.Method: This is a prospective study performed with 34 women who had newly diagnosed breast cancer. Depression and anxiety level of patients were assessed before, early (1-3th month) and late (9-12th month) phase of surgical treatment. Socio-demographic data form, Clinical Interview Scale structured for Axis-I disorders according to Manual of Diagnosis and Classification of Psychiatric Diseases-IV, State and Continuity Anxiety Inventory, Psychological Symptom Checklist, Hamilton Depression and Anxiety Graduation Scale were used for the collection of data.Results: The average age was 47,76±11,72 years. Chemotherapy and radiotherapy were administered to the patients in proportion to 82,4% and 41,2% respectively. Mastectomy and lumpectomy was performed to 91,2% and 8,8% of patients, respectively. Anxiety and depression levels before surgical treatment were higher than levels of early and late period after surgical treatment. Also, anxiety and depression levels of early period after surgical treatment were higher than late period of surgical treatment. Statistically important height could be detected in patients whom administered chemotherapy with respect to Hamilton Depression (2th and 3th visit), Hamilton Anxiety (3th visit), State Anxiety (3th visit) and Coninuity Anxiety (2th visit) scales (p<0,05). Statistically important height was detected in State Anxiety Scale at first visit in patients who had mensturation by comparison with who did not have mensturation (p<0,05). 17,6% of patients had family history of psychiatric disorders and breast cancer. Statistically important height was detected at State and Continuity Anxiety Scale between first and second visit in patient with family history of breast cancer (p<0,05). There was no statistically important differences between the anxiety and depression levels in comparison groups of applied and non-applied radiotherapy, under and over age of 40, performed lumpectomy and mastectomy.Conclusion: Also, anxiety and depression levels of patients decrease in the course of time, detected rates from diagnosis and during the treatment showed that the patients were in needed of psychiatric support.