Characteristics of women at risk for psychosocial distress in the year after breast cancer.

PURPOSE

To provide a detailed description of rehabilitation problems of women, considered to be low risk and at risk for psychosocial morbidity, diagnosed with stage I and II breast cancer 1 month and 1 year after primary treatment.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A sample of 227 newly diagnosed breast cancer patients were systematically interviewed by a clinical social worker and classified for risk of psychosocial distress in the year after diagnosis. They completed a battery of standardized instruments to assess quality of life (QL), rehabilitation needs, and psychologic distress. The primary QL instrument, the Cancer Rehabilitation Evaluation System (CARES), provides a detailed listing of rehabilitation needs. Descriptive CARES data are presented with comparisons between the two groups.

RESULTS

The at-risk women had significantly more problems with greater severity than the low-risk women in all areas (physical, psychosocial, medical interaction, sexual, and marital). While both groups showed improvement over the year following diagnosis, the at-risk group had significantly more problems 1 year later. Many physical problems subside, but problems at the local surgical site, psychologic distress, communication with marital partners, and negative body image are more persistent in the at-risk group 1 year later, while half of both groups continue to have sexual dysfunction.

CONCLUSION

The detailed listing of problems provided by the CARES may be helpful to clinicians in their interactions with patients. The need for preventive and early intervention for the at-risk patients is underscored.