The investigation of the relationship between traumatic growth and depression and anxiety levels in patients with an operated breast cancer diagnosis

Objectives: Traumatic growth is defined as positive changes in self-concept, interpersonal relationships and one’s world view after a trauma or severe life crisis. In this study, it was aimed to examine the traumatic growth level and the relationship between the traumatic growth level and, depression and anxiety in patients diagnosed with an operated breast cancer.

Method: The study consisted of 80 patients who were between 18-65 ages, and who applied to Ankara University Medical Faculty, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical Oncology Department as outpatient and who were diagnosed with the breast cancer and had an operation. The patients filled the Traumatic Growth Inventory (TGI) and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale.

Results: In our study, it was found that mean score of Traumatic Growth Inventory was 71,3. While in 74 patients the Anxiety subscale score of Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale was found higher (>=10) with a 92,5% percentage, in 70 patients the Depression subscale score of Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale was found higher (>=7) with a 87.5% percentage. There was no relationship between TGI and, depression and anxiety symptoms (p>0.05).

Conclusion: It was determined that anxiety and depression levels in our study were found higher than were found in the similar studies in the literature, and it was considered that this finding was related to fact that 56.6% patients participated into the study within the first year of the diagnosis. Nevertheless, it is important to assess these patients along with their course of psychopathology and their traumatic growth level in the frame of collaboration between oncology and psychiatry (psycho-oncology).