Hiten Naik1, Bonnie Leung2, Janessa Laskin1,2, Melanie McDonald3, Amirrtha Srikanthan4, Jonn Wu1,5, Alan Bates1,3, Cheryl Ho6,7. 1. University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada. 2. Department of Medical Oncology, BC Cancer, 600 10th Avenue West, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 4E6, Canada. 3. Department of Psychosocial Oncology, BC Cancer, Vancouver, Canada. 4. Department of Medical Oncology, The Ottawa Hospital Cancer Centre, Ottawa, Canada. 5. Department of Radiation Oncology, BC Cancer, Vancouver, Canada. 6. University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada. cho@bccancer.bc.ca. 7. Department of Medical Oncology, BC Cancer, 600 10th Avenue West, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 4E6, Canada. cho@bccancer.bc.ca.
Abstract
PURPOSE: This study evaluates the prevalence of emotional distress and psychosocial needs in young adult (YA, age 18-39) patients at the time of their breast cancer diagnosis compared to older patients. METHODS: Through a province-wide program, BC Cancer patients complete the PsychoSocial Scan for CANcer-Revised (PSSCAN-R) questionnaire, which screens for the presence of symptoms of anxiety and depression and assesses psychosocial needs using the Canadian Problem Checklist (CPC). The study population comprised all breast cancer patients who completed the questionnaire within 6 months of their cancer diagnosis between 2011 and 2016. Clinical information was retrospectively collected from electronic health records. Univariate and multivariate analyses using the X2, Fisher's exact test, and logistical regression were used to compare patient age groups. RESULTS: The cohort included 10,734 breast cancer patients: median age 62, 4% YA, 99% female, and 96% presented with non-metastatic disease. After adjusting for clinical and demographic variables, YA patients were more likely to report depression (33.6% vs. 25.5%, OR 1.47, p = 0.001) and anxiety symptoms (58.6% vs. 35.7%, OR 2.49, p < 0.001) than older patients. Psychosocial needs regarding work/school (OR 3.79, p < 0.001), intimacy/sexuality (OR 2.82, p < 0.001), and finances (OR 2.78, p < 0.001) were more common among YA than older adults. CONCLUSIONS: After a breast cancer diagnosis, YAs have higher levels of emotional distress compared to older patients. Differences in specific psychosocial needs likely reflect differences in life stage between these age groups. The data suggest that YAs warrant specific attention with respect to early psychosocial assessment and tailored intervention.
PURPOSE: This study evaluates the prevalence of emotional distress and psychosocial needs in young adult (YA, age 18-39) patients at the time of their breast cancer diagnosis compared to older patients. METHODS: Through a province-wide program, BC Cancerpatients complete the PsychoSocial Scan for CANcer-Revised (PSSCAN-R) questionnaire, which screens for the presence of symptoms of anxiety and depression and assesses psychosocial needs using the Canadian Problem Checklist (CPC). The study population comprised all breast cancerpatients who completed the questionnaire within 6 months of their cancer diagnosis between 2011 and 2016. Clinical information was retrospectively collected from electronic health records. Univariate and multivariate analyses using the X2, Fisher's exact test, and logistical regression were used to compare patient age groups. RESULTS: The cohort included 10,734 breast cancerpatients: median age 62, 4% YA, 99% female, and 96% presented with non-metastatic disease. After adjusting for clinical and demographic variables, YA patients were more likely to report depression (33.6% vs. 25.5%, OR 1.47, p = 0.001) and anxiety symptoms (58.6% vs. 35.7%, OR 2.49, p < 0.001) than older patients. Psychosocial needs regarding work/school (OR 3.79, p < 0.001), intimacy/sexuality (OR 2.82, p < 0.001), and finances (OR 2.78, p < 0.001) were more common among YA than older adults. CONCLUSIONS: After a breast cancer diagnosis, YAs have higher levels of emotional distress compared to older patients. Differences in specific psychosocial needs likely reflect differences in life stage between these age groups. The data suggest that YAs warrant specific attention with respect to early psychosocial assessment and tailored intervention.
Entities:
Keywords:
Anxiety; Breast cancer; Depression; Psychosocial needs; Young adult
Authors: Barbara Muzzatti; Giulia Agostinelli; Francesca Bomben; Sara Busato; Cristiana Flaiban; Katiuscia Maria Gipponi; Giulia Mariutti; Sara Mella; Marika Piccinin; Maria Antonietta Annunziata Journal: Front Psychol Date: 2022-04-26
Authors: Yanyan Li; Hong Liu; Yaoyao Sun; Jie Li; Yanhong Chen; Xuan Zhang; Juan Wang; Liuliu Wu; Di Shao; Fenglin Cao Journal: AIMS Public Health Date: 2021-10-20
Authors: Anna Lewandowska; Grzegorz Rudzki; Tomasz Lewandowski; Michał Próchnicki; Sławomir Rudzki; Barbara Laskowska; Joanna Brudniak Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2020-09-23 Impact factor: 3.390