Status and specific manifestations of persistent psychological distresses in patients with breast cancer post-operation

Objective To investigate the prevalence and specific manifestations of enduring psychological distress in patients with breast cancer after operation. Methods Totally 263 patients of the newly diagnosed breast cancer treated with the operation from August 2014 to August 2015 were collected by convenience sampling. Distress Thermometer (DT) and Problem List recommended by national Comprehensive Cancer Network was used to assess the persistent psychological distresses in the 6th, 15th, 20th, 25th, 30th months after the disease diagnosis,while a self-designed questionnaire was for the demographic data. Results The results of the DT screening showed that 16% (42/263) patients had persistent psychological problems; the incidences of five stages of significant psychological distress (DT≥ 4) was 43% (113/263), 34% (89/263), 31% (81/263), 28% (73/263) and 25% (65/263), respectively. The main manifestations of persistent psychological distress were: fatigue 59 cases (22.4%), sleep disorders 51 cases (19.4%), nervous 48 cases (18.2%), anxiety 24 cases (9.1%), fear of appearance 23 cases (8.7%) and the difference in persistent psychological distress scores between different demographic characteristics (age, educational level, marital status, economic situation, operation method, disease stage) were statistically significant (t=-2.295-2.966, P<0.05). Conclusion The incidences of persistent psychological distress in patients with breast cancer is higher and the manifestation is different,which should be paid attention to by medical workers. Key words: Breast neoplasms; Persistent; Psychological distress; Problem list