Physical symptoms/side effects during breast cancer treatment predict posttreatment distress.
BACKGROUND
Studies suggest that the period following completion of treatment can be distressing for cancer patients. One potentially important predictor of distress is physical symptoms/side effects during treatment.


OBJECTIVE
A longitudinal, observational design was used to examine whether the number of physical symptoms/side effects experienced during treatment was a correlate of cancer-related distress and general distress 4 months after treatment completion, as measured by the Impact of Events Scale and the Mental Health subscale of the Short Form-36, respectively.


METHODS
Participants were 151 women who had completed chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy for ductal carcinoma in situ or stage 1 or 2 breast cancer. Hierarchical multiple regression was conducted with relevant sociodemographic, clinical, and psychiatric variables entered as controls.


RESULTS
Greater physical symptoms/side effects predicted greater total cancer-related distress, intrusive thoughts, and general distress. Physical symptoms/side effects did not significantly predict avoidance. Follow-up analyses indicated that the relationship between physical symptoms/side effects and general distress was mediated by both total cancer-related distress and intrusive thoughts.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that patients who experience greater physical symptoms/side effects during treatment are at greater risk for later cancer-related distress and, in turn, general distress. Future research should evaluate whether early intervention with these patients is effective in preventing or reducing distress in the posttreatment period.
Jim
Heather S
HS
Health Outcomes and Behavior Program, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612, USA. Heather.Jim@moffitt.org
Andrykowski
Michael A
MA
Munster
Pamela N
PN
Jacobsen
Paul B
PB
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use / Q000633:toxicity*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology* / Q000532:radiotherapy; D002285:Carcinoma, Intraductal, Noninfiltrating / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology* / Q000532:radiotherapy; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000523:psychology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012803:Sick Role; D040921:Stress Disorders, Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*