Table 9 A list of studies on psychological distress and quality of life in breast cancer patients (1974–2007)
Author (s) [Ref.] | Years | Main focus | Results/conclusion(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
Ferrero et al. [179] | 1994 | Mental adjustment to cancer in newly-diagnosed non-mtastatic breast cancer(an xploratory study) | Strong association between mental adjustment to cancer and reported vague physical symptoms; fighting spirit and denial was associated with better QOL and helpless/hopeless and anxious preoccupation and fatalism were negatively correlated with well-being. |
Ganz et al. [180] | 1996 | Psychosocial concerns 2 and 3 years after primary treatment | Problems associated with physical and recreational activities, body image, and sexual functions were observed, although many positive aspects from cancer experience were reported. |
Maunsell et al. [181] | 1996 | Brief psychological intervention vs. Brief psychological intervention + psychological distress screening | Distress screening did not improve QOL. Minimal psychological intervention at initial treatment alone was recommended. |
Andrykowski et al. [182] | 1996 | Psychological adjustment in women with breast cancer or benign breast problems | Breast cancer patients reported poorer physical health but greater positive psychosocial adaptation and improved life outlook, no difference in psychological distress between two groups. |
Marchioro et al. [183] | 1996 | Evaluation of the impact of a psychological intervention vs. standard care in non-metastatic breast cancer patients | Cognitive psychotherapy and family counseling improved both depression and QOL indexes. |
Weitzner et al. [184] | 1997 | QOL and mood in long-term breast cancer survivors | Psychological measures were found to be more robust predictors of QOL than the demographic variables; long-term survivors continue to experience significant depression and lower QOL. |
Kissane et al. [185] | 1998 | Psychological morbidity in early-stage breast cancer | 45% (135/303) had psychiatric disorder, 42% had depression, anxiety or both; QOL was substantially affected. |
Bloom et al. [186] | 1998 | Intrusiveness of illness in young women with newly-diagnosed breast cancer | Intrusiveness of illness mediated the effect of disease and treatment factors on QOL; neither time post-diagnosis nor type of treatment affected the psychological component of QOL. |
Longman et al. [187] | 1999 | Psychological adjustment over time | Over time depression burden and anxiety burden persist and each was negatively associated with overall and present QOL. |
Cotton et al. [188] | 1999 | Relationship among spiritual well-being, QOL, and psychological adjustment | Spiritual well-being was correlated with both QOL and psychological adjustment, but relationship was found to be more complex and indirect than previously considered. |
Ashing-Giwa [189] | 1999 | Psychological outcome in long-term survivors of breast cancer (focus on African-American) | Patients relied on spiritual faith and family support to cope; socio-cultural contexts of the women's lives need to be considered when studying QOL. |
Lewis et al. [190] | 2001 | Cancer-related intrusive thoughts and social support | In women with social support cancer-related intrusive thoughts had no significant negative impact on QOL, but in women with low social support there was negative effect on QOL. |
Amir and Ramati [191] | 2002 | Post-traumatic distress disorder (PTSD), QOL, and emotional distress in long term survivors of breast cancer and a control group | Higher PSTD, emotional distress and lower QOL in breast cancer mainly due to chemotherapy and disease stage. |
Ganz et al. [192] | 2003 | Psychosocial adjustment 15 months after diagnosis in older women with breast cancer | Psychosocial adjustment at 15 months was predicted by better mental health, emotional social support and better self-rated interaction with health care providers. |
Bordeleau et al. [193] | 2003 | Randomized trial of group psychological support vs. control in metastatic breast cancer | Supportive-expressive group therapy did not appear to influence QOL. |
Badger et al. [194] | 2004 | Depression burden and psychological adjustment | Depression burden had negative effect on psychological adjustment and QOL. |
Schreier and Williams [195] | 2004 | Anxiety in women receiving either radiation or chemotherapy for breast cancer | No significant differences for total QOL or any subscales by treatment; trait anxiety was higher for chemotherapy patients; state anxiety was high and did not decrease over the course of the treatment for either group. |
Kershaw et al. [196] | 2004 | Coping strategies in advanced breast cancer patients and their family caregivers | Patients use more emotional support, religion and positive reframing strategies while family use more alcohol or drug. In both active coping was associated with higher QOL. |
Lehto et al. [197] | 2005 | Psychological stress factors as predictors of QOL in patients receiving surgery alone vs. adjuvant treatment | Psychosocial factors were strongest predictors of QOL but not cancer type or treatment; non-cancer related stresses showed strongest QOL decreasing influence. |
Roth et al. [198] | 2005 | Affective distress in women seeking immediate vs. delayed breast reconstruction after mastectomy | Women seeking immediate breast reconstruction showed relatively higher psychological impairment and physical disability. |
Okamura et al. [199] | 2005 | Psychiatric disorders and associated factors after first breast cancer recurrence | Patients' psychiatric disorders were associated with lower QOL. |
Golden-Kreutz et al. [200] | 2005 | Traumatic stress, perceived global stress, and life events | Initial stress at diagnosis predicted both psychological and physical health at follow-up. |
Deshields et al. [201] | 2005 | Emotional adjustment (at 4 points in time) | Primary psychological changes occur quickly after treatment conclusion and then it appeared to become stabled. |
Laid law et al. [202] | 2005 | Self-hypnosis or Japanese healing or. control | Positive change in anxiety level, a general increase in mood and a better QOL were observed. |
Schou et al. [203] | 2005 | Dispositional optimism and QOL. | Optimism was predictive for better emotional and social functioning one year after surgery; at time of diagnosis and throughout post-diagnosis dispositional optimism was associated with better QOL and fewer symptoms. |
Grabsch et al. [204] | 2006 | Psychological morbidity in advanced breast cancer | 42% (97/277) had a psychiatric disorder, 36% depression or anxiety or both. QOL was substantially affected. |
Antoni et al. [205] | 2006 | Stress management after treatment for breast cancer | Stress management skill taught had beneficial effects on reduced social disruption, and increased emotional well-being, positive states of mind, benefit finding, positive lifestyle change, and positive affect. |
Wonghongkul et al. [206] | 2006 | Uncertainty appraisal coping | Social support was used most to cope and confront-coping used the least; year of survival, uncertainty in illness and harm appraisal influenced QOL. |
Yen et al. [207] | 2006 | Depression and stress in breast cancer versus benign tumor | Stress from health problem was the most significant predictor for QOL among malignant group. |
Costanzo et al. [208] | 2007 | Adjustment to life after treatment | While breast cancer survivors demonstrated good adjustment on general distress following treatment, some women were at risk for sustained distress. |
Wong and Fielding [209] | 2007 | Change in psychological distress and change in QOL | The magnitude of change in psychological distress significantly impacted physical and functional, but not social QOL in breast cancer patients. |
Meneses et al. [210] | 2007 | Psycho-educational intervention and QOL | Breast cancer education intervention is an effective intervention in improving QOL during the first year of breast cancer survivorship. |