The impact of mode of presentation on distress in patients with early stage breast cancer.

AIMS

We set out to determine whether a difference exists between levels of psychological distress in women diagnosed with breast cancer through routine screening versus those who presented symptomatically.

METHODS

We assessed levels of distress in comparable numbers of patients with screen-detected and non-screen-detected female breast cancer patients being treated with curative intent, using the Hospital Anxiety and Distress Scale (HADS) (total n = 93).

RESULTS

In both cohorts, 50.5% scored above threshold for anxiety, depression, or both. Being aged over 60 was associated with concomitant positive anxiety and depression screening in both cohorts. Financial stress was associated with positive depression scores. No statistically significant difference was found between HADS scores for screen-detected versus self-detected patients.

CONCLUSION

Over 50% of patients with screen-detected or symptomatic breast cancer experience high levels of distress. Consideration should be made for the routine use of distress screening in this population.