Depressive Symptoms and Anxiety: Relationship to Social Support and Functional Status among Patients with Breast Cancer Surgery

Background: Breast cancer is one of the most important types of cancer among women worldwide and is a significant stressor in women’s life that may affect functional health status. The present study was aimed to identify psychological factors of depressive symptoms and anxiety and relationship with social support and functional status among patients with breast cancer surgery. Methods: Descriptive correlation research design was conducted in the Oncology Department and Oncology Center at Mansoura University Hospital. The data were collected from 102 adult patients with primary breast cancer undergoing surgery. Data were collected utilizing the following tools: 1) A Structured Interview Questionnaire (SIQ): including socio-demographic and related medical data. 2) The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) was used to measure levels of anxiety and depressive symptoms (psychological reaction). 3) The Social Support Measurement Questionnaire (SSMQ) to measure social support. 4) Inventory Functional Status-Cancer (IFS-CA) to measured Functional Status of breast cancer women. Findings: The studied subjects reported total functional status subjects’ scores showed slight improvement over time, from start of diagnosis of breast cancer to one week after surgery. Also, identified correlates between social support and psychological factors (anxiety and depressive symptoms). While associates of low functional status scores were almost being depressive symptoms, anxiety and low social support (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that there are strong correlation between patients’ psychological distress and functional status. The psychosocial factors of anxiety and depressive symptoms are alleviated by the social support received from their family and friends, healthcare professionals.