Profiles of distress in women following treatment for primary breast cancer

The present study describes the difficulties experienced by women after surgery for breast cancer and identifies key issues. A sample of 245 women not more than 16 weeks post-surgery for breast cancer completed the Experience of Breast Cancer Questionnaire and the Psychological subscale of the Rotterdam Symptom Checklist. Of the total group, 67% of women were anxious or depressed. Women who had a mastectomy experienced more difficulties with self-image whereas women who had breast conservation reported more problems with inadequate informational support and decisional uncertainty or regret (P < 0.0001). The reporting of difficult psychological and physical symptoms and inadequate informational support and decisional uncertainty was related to women's anxiety and depression (P < 0.0001). The profile of difficulties experienced by women after breast cancer varies according to the type of surgical treatment. Therefore, the support offered to women by clinicians both pre- and post-surgery should be tailored to address the concerns characteristic of each treatment type.