Psychological impact of clinical treatment after breast cancer diagnosis in younger patients (38–50 age range): An explorative 3-year observational study

Abstract

Objective: Young women with breast cancer (BC) face emotional challenges as they deal with the disease and the related fear of adversity. This study evaluated the psychosocial complications experienced by younger women (38–50 age range) over a three year period after BC diagnosis.

Method: From an observational perspective, we detected late-stage complications involving psychological distress (variables included anxiety, anger, psychological distress, and depression) and sociodemographic influences on treatment and post-treatment paths for a 36-month period after diagnosis.

Results: Our data highlighted that good emotional regulation improved resilience in dealing with diagnoses and medical treatments. Findings highlighted that women with positive mental flexibility toward surgical and pharmacological treatments improved their resilience because they mentally focused on the medical treatments and following recovery periods. However, fragility was detected over a three-year period following diagnoses. Patients were mostly impacted around 12 months after diagnoses and soon after post-treatment paths (i.e., at 24 months and around 36 months after diagnosis).

Conclusion: Psychological status fluctuates among BC survivors. Here, resilience may be a useful trait in young patients by enabling them to regain normal lives. In fact, an increased likelihood of survival is strongly linked to the restoration of a normal life through modified and improved living. Our findings highlighted that young BC patients were emotionally challenged; a psychological resilience index can thus predict depression and/or anxiety patterns in dealing with adversity.