Abstract

SANTICHI, Eliane Cristina et al. Screening for symptoms of anxiety and depression in different stages of breast cancer treatment. Psicol. hosp. (São Paulo) [online]. 2012, vol.10, n.1, pp. 42-67. ISSN 2175-3547.

Objective: To evaluate the presence of symptoms of anxiety and depression in women affected by breast cancer. Method: A descriptive, exploratory study conducted on twenty-seven women undergoing outpatient treatment. All of them were interviewed and evaluated by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale at different stages: Post-diagnosis (n= 9), post-surgical (n= 8) and chemotherapy (n= 10). Results: A mean age of 52.77 years was arrived at (SD = 15.11); low education levels; mostly married and practiced a bit of religion. The occurrence of anxiety symptoms was verified at 37 percent (n=10), with a greater frequency (66.6 percent) in the post-diagnosis groups. Symptoms of depressive were observed in post-diagnosis groups (22.2 percent) and post-surgical (25 percent). Conclusion: Breast cancer causes significant psychological impact on women's lives and emotional distress, which varies at each stage of treatment, requiring differentiated assistance by the health team and psychological care throughout the process.

Keywords : Breast Neoplasm; Anxiety; Depression; Chemotherapy; Psychology.

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