Anxiety levels of breast cancer patients in Turkey during the COVID-19 pandemic.

ABSTRACT

Aim: To assess the anxiety levels of breast cancer patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. Materials & methods: A total of 298 patients completed the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-S and STAI-T) and the Visual Analogue Scale for Anxiety (VAS) and VAS for Anxiety in COVID-19 (VAS-CoV). Results: 144 patients were in the high anxiety category for STAI-S, and 202 patients were in the high anxiety category for STAI-T. STAI-T score was significantly high in the metastatic group (p = 0.017). VAS-CoV score in the hormonotherapy group was significantly higher than in the no-treatment group (p = 0.023). There was a positive correlation between VAS-CoV and VAS levels (r = 0.708, p < 0.001), VAS-CoV and STAI-S and STAI-T scores (r = 0.402, p < 0.001; r = 0.185, p = 0.001, respectively), and a negative correlation between education years and STAI-T scores (r = -0.172, p = 0.003). Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic is related to high anxiety levels in breast cancer patients.

Lay abstract COVID-19 pandemic is related to rapidly rising anxiety levels worldwide. Because of the high mortality of COVID-19 in cancer patients, changing treatment routines and disruptions of the healthcare system, cancer patients are the most affected population in this situation. Anxiety among females and breast cancer patients tend to be high, although anxiety levels in cancer patients during the pandemic period varies according to the cancer type, treatment status and sociodemographic factors. This study assessed the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on breast cancer patients' anxiety levels according to treatment status and stage of the disease. A total of 298 breast cancer patients completed the universally validated anxiety questionnaires. Results demonstrated high trait anxiety in breast cancer patients, particularly in the metastatic group. The current findings highlighted the importance of intensive assessment and close monitoring of breast cancer patients' psychological situations. It is crucial to provide psychological support to breast cancer patients to contribute to both treatment and follow-up processes during the pandemic.