Prevalence and psychosocial factors of anxiety and depression in breast cancer patients.

Abstract

Anxiety and depressive disorders are two common psychiatric disorders in breast cancer. Strong predictors of anxiety and depression in breast cancer patients were poor family relationship and functioning, maladaptive problem and conflict solving, and presence of pain and fatigue. Promoting patients' social support, especially emotional support from family, and enhancing patient's coping skills may reduce the patients' psychological stress and psychiatric morbidities. Treatment of breast cancer patients should focus on reduction of patients' disturbing symptoms such as adequate pain control, and lessening the treatment complications. Moreover being alert on patients' emotional reactions and potential psychiatric disorders is essential.