Anxiety Levels in Brazilian Women with Metastatic Breast Cancer Undergoing Palliative Chemotherapy: A Prospective Study

Document Type : Research Articles

Authors

1 Postgraduate Program in Nursing, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil.

2 Department of Nursing, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil.

3 Department of Statistics, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil.

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to assess anxiety levels among women with metastatic breast cancer undergoing palliative chemotherapy. Methods: A descriptive, prospective study was conducted at an oncology hospital in southern Brazil from September 2021 to October 2022. A total of 123 adult women receiving outpatient palliative chemotherapy were included in the study. Anxiety levels were evaluated using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory at baseline, the fifth week, and the eleventh week of treatment. Data were analyzed using Kruskal-Wallis, Mann-Whitney, and Multiple General Regression Models. Results: Women with advanced breast cancer had an average trait-anxiety score of 48.24±5.92. A progressive improvement in anxiety scores was observed throughout the treatment evaluation stages (44.90±5.89; 43.37±5.34; 42.58±5.75), with a significant difference between the evaluations (p=0.008). Significant correlations were found between trait-anxiety and work situation (p=0.010) and ovarian metastasis (p=0.022). The adjusted general regression model also showed statistical significance for baseline evaluation with offspring (p=0.045) and education level (p=0.041). Conclusion: Women with breast cancer undergoing palliative chemotherapy exhibited high trait-anxiety scores, which decreased significantly over the course of treatment.

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Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
Volume 25, Issue 4
April 2024
Pages 1135-1141

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History

  • Receive Date: 29 August 2023
  • Revise Date: 21 January 2024
  • Accept Date: 20 April 2024

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