BACKGROUND: The present study aimed to assess predictors of distress after 'prophylactic mastectomy (PM) and salpingo-ovariectomy (PSO), in order to enable the early identification of patients who could benefit from psychological support. PATIENTS AND METHODS: General distress and cancer-related distress were assessed in 82 women at increased risk of hereditary breast and/or ovarian cancer undergoing PM and/or PSO, before and 6 and 12 months after prophylactic surgery. Neurotic lability and coping were assessed before surgery. RESULTS: Cancer-related distress and general distress at both follow-up moments were best explained by the level of cancer-related and general distress at baseline. Being a mutation carrier was predictive of increased cancer-related distress at 6-month follow-up (but not at 12 months), and of lower general distress 12 months after prophylactic surgery. Also, coping by having comforting thoughts was predictive of less cancer-related distress at 6-month follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Genetically predisposed women who are at risk of post-surgical distress can be identified using one or more of the predictors found in this study. Exploration of and/or attention to cancer-related distress and coping style before prophylactic surgery may help physicians and psychosocial workers to identify women who might benefit from additional post-surgical support.
BACKGROUND: The present study aimed to assess predictors of distress after 'prophylactic mastectomy (PM) and salpingo-ovariectomy (PSO), in order to enable the early identification of patients who could benefit from psychological support. PATIENTS AND METHODS: General distress and cancer-related distress were assessed in 82 women at increased risk of hereditary breast and/or ovarian cancer undergoing PM and/or PSO, before and 6 and 12 months after prophylactic surgery. Neurotic lability and coping were assessed before surgery. RESULTS:Cancer-related distress and general distress at both follow-up moments were best explained by the level of cancer-related and general distress at baseline. Being a mutation carrier was predictive of increased cancer-related distress at 6-month follow-up (but not at 12 months), and of lower general distress 12 months after prophylactic surgery. Also, coping by having comforting thoughts was predictive of less cancer-related distress at 6-month follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Genetically predisposed women who are at risk of post-surgical distress can be identified using one or more of the predictors found in this study. Exploration of and/or attention to cancer-related distress and coping style before prophylactic surgery may help physicians and psychosocial workers to identify women who might benefit from additional post-surgical support.
Authors: Marlene H Frost; Tanya L Hoskin; Lynn C Hartmann; Amy C Degnim; Joanne L Johnson; Judy C Boughey Journal: Ann Surg Oncol Date: 2011-09-27 Impact factor: 5.344
Authors: Carolyn Y Fang; Carol Cherry; Karthik Devarajan; Tianyu Li; John Malick; Mary B Daly Journal: Gynecol Oncol Date: 2009-01-13 Impact factor: 5.482