Features of the relationship between anxiety level and quality of life in female patients with cancer

Objective: to assess the quality of life of patients with breast and reproductive system cancers, as well as to study the emotional response of these patients and evaluate the level of anxiety, depression and attitudes towards death.

Material and Methods. The study was conducted at the A. Tsyb Medical Radiological Research Centre - branch of the National Medical Research Radiological Centre of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation (Obninsk), and the Department of Gynecological Oncology and Breast Tumors No. 2 (Moscow). A total of 118 women diagnosed with breast cancer and 102 healthy women with breast implants for aesthetic purposes were examined. A clinical and psychopathological examination combined with psychodiagnostic testing were performed.

Results. A correlation analysis using Spearman's rank correlation criterion revealed a positive correlation between pain intensity and social functioning at a trend level of 0.7. A similar trend was found in the direct correlation between the general health scale and the mental health and social functioning scale - 0.46 and 0.57, respectively. An inverse correlation was also found between the general health scale and anxiety level scores (R=-0.51). Conclusions. Breast cancer patients exhibit high levels of state anxiety and moderate depression. However, thoughts of death frequently become a fact of life that patients eventually process to find a sense of relief and acceptance.

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