title: Psychological morbidity in the first year after breast surgery.
abstract: In this prospective study, the psychological morbidity associated with the treatment of breast cancer was assessed. The study population comprised all patients referred to one centre with a recently diagnosed breast lump, who were to undergo surgery. Psychological morbidity was assessed preoperatively and at 6 and 12 months postoperatively by modified Rotterdam Symptom Checklist. Three hundred and twenty patients completed all three questionnaires: 93 women undergoing mastectomy, 73 women having conservation therapy for breast cancer and 156 women having biopsy for benign breast disease. Patients with a breast malignancy smaller than 4 cm in diameter were treated by lumpectomy and radiotherapy, anti-oestrogen therapy or chemotherapy alone or in combination. Psychological morbidity among patients with malignant disease was significantly greater than that seen in the group with benign disease. Among cancer patients, a significant decrease in anxiety and depression occurred during the year following surgery. The study failed to demonstrate any psychological advantage associated with breast conservation.
authors.affiliation: Western Infirmary, Glasgow, UK.
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Goldberg
authors.forename: R N
authors.initials: RN
authors.lastname: Scott
authors.forename: P M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Davidson
authors.forename: G D
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Murray
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Stallard
authors.forename: W D
authors.initials: WD
authors.lastname: George
authors.forename: G P
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Maguire
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D001828:Body Image; D001941:Breast Diseases / Q000523:psychology / Q000601:surgery; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology* / Q000601:surgery*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003863:Depression / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015409:Mastectomy, Radical / Q000523:psychology*; D015412:Mastectomy, Segmental / Q000523:psychology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012044:Regression Analysis; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires