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Breast Cancer Essay

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Burgess et al., (2005), interviewed 222 women with early breast cancer with 170 women providing complete interview data up to either five years after diagnosis or recurrence. The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence and risk factors for depression and anxiety in women with early breast cancer in the five years after diagnosis. The study used structured interviews and standardised diagnostic criteria to assess the point prevalence and period prevalence of clinically important depression and anxiety in women with early breast cancer in the five years after diagnosis. The findings of the study showed that during the first year after diagnosis, nearly 50% of the women experienced anxiety, depression or both, 25% in the second, third …show more content…

Most of the women stated that they needed more support in coping with the aftermath of the disease. The figures in this survey clearly show that for most women, the impact of breast cancer does not stop at the end of treatment, as women continue to experience anxiety and depression for years following treatment, making it crucial for nurses to continue offering support during and after treatment. This survey helps shed some light on the issues surrounding anxiety and treatment in breast cancer, however there are some limitations to the survey. Firstly, because the survey was carried out online, there is a possibility that certain populations with no internet access did not take part which limits the generalisability of the findings to other women. Secondly the women were given online questionnaires to fill out without anyone to clarify and probe which brings the reliability of the survey into question.

A further study by Khan et al (2016) focused on the levels of depression and anxiety post mastectomy in women with breast cancer at one hospital. The sample size consisted of 88 patients who had undergone a mastectomy. Patients were given a self-made questionnaire consisting of 20 questions related to anxiety and depression, focusing on a mixture of psychological and physiological symptoms. The pattern of depression and

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