ASSESSING SELF-ESTEEM, DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY IN RELATION TO DISEASE PROGRESSION STAGE IN BREAST CANCER PATIENTS

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Ramona Adriana SCHENKER, Michael SCHENKER, Dan Gheorghe MĂLĂESCU, Laura MAZILU, Șerban Mircea NEGRU, Puiu Olivian STOVICEK

Staging of breast cancer at the time of diagnosis influences treatment options and the course of the disease, and on the other hand has different effects on the psychological status of patients. The aim of this study was to assess the self-esteem, level of depression and anxiety of breast cancer patients according to the stage of the disease. 58 patients diagnosed with breast cancer were psychologically evaluated, after informing them about the treatment, but before the surgery. In stage 1 disease, patients diagnosed had moderate self-esteem, moderate depression, and significant anxiety, while patients diagnosed in stage 4 had high self-esteem, severe depression, and significant anxiety. Lack of emotional expression after being diagnosed with breast cancer was associated with emotional distress and significantly increased negative emotions compared to situations in which patients expressed themselves emotionally. Psychological traumas related to diagnosis, fear of treatment and side effects, fear of recurrence, damage to one’s image must be identified early by the psycho-oncologist, from the time of diagnosis, through specific psychological assessment tools. Personalized adaptation of psychological support strategies can have long-term benefits on the emotional well-being and quality of life of patients and their families.

https://doi.org/10.58679/UTM72630