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Changes in psychological distress of women in long-term remission from breast cancer in two different geographical settings: a randomized study

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Abstract

Goals of work

Psychological distress and coping styles in women diagnosed with stages I and II breast cancer have attracted substantial clinical and research attention over the last several decades. The contradictory and, at times, controversial findings stimulated the present randomized research whose purpose was to explore the possibility and probability of predicting which variables affect the psychological distress level of women with breast cancer 1 to 5 years after diagnosis (time period 1) and 6 to 8 months after period 1 (time period 2).

Patients and methods

The study was conducted in two large oncology centers in Graz, Austria, and Jerusalem, Israel, with a sample population comprising 424 patients.

Main results

The only variables that significantly predicted change in the psychological distress levels (Grand Severity Index, GSI; except for the GSI level during period 1) were Fighting Spirit (Mental Adjustment to Cancer, MAC) in the Graz sample and Perceived Family Support (PFS) in the Jerusalem sample. These results are discussed in relation to other findings.

Conclusions

In light of these findings, it is highly important to preliminarily identify women with less adaptive psychological coping mechanisms and to provide them with efficacy tools for behavioral and cognitive changes within their own network of social and health resources.

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Acknowledgement

This study was supported by grants from the Österreichische Nationalbank Jubiläumsfonds, Jubiläumsfondsprojekt Nr. 9038 and from Verein für Krebskranke at the Division of Clinical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Graz, Austria.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Karl-Franzens University of Graz, Graz, Austria

    E. Andritsch, H. Samonigg, G. Hoffman & G. Krenn

  2. Department of Psychology, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel

    G. Goldzweig

  3. Sharett Institute of Oncology, Hadassah University Hospital, 91120, Jerusalem, Israel

    B. Uziely & L. Baider

  4. Braun School of Public Health, The Hebrew University—Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem, Israel

    P. Ever-Hadani

Authors
  1. E. Andritsch
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  2. G. Goldzweig
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  3. H. Samonigg
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  4. B. Uziely
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  5. P. Ever-Hadani
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  6. G. Hoffman
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  7. G. Krenn
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  8. L. Baider
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to L. Baider.

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Andritsch, E., Goldzweig, G., Samonigg, H. et al. Changes in psychological distress of women in long-term remission from breast cancer in two different geographical settings: a randomized study. Support Care Cancer 12, 10–18 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-003-0531-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-003-0531-z

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