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Coping with a breast cancer diagnosis: a prospective study
1Department of Psychology, University of Kansas, Lawrence 66045-2160.
Summary
Women over 40 undergoing breast biopsy experience increased negative emotions post-diagnosis, especially if diagnosed with cancer. Pre-diagnosis psychological factors significantly predict mood, with avoidance coping linked to higher distress.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Oncology
- Health Psychology
Background:
- The stress and coping theory provides a framework for understanding psychological responses to health threats.
- Breast cancer diagnosis is a significant stressor impacting women's emotional well-being.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the relationship between psychosocial variables and mood in women undergoing breast biopsy.
- To compare the emotional and coping responses of women diagnosed with cancer versus benign breast conditions.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal study of 117 women aged 40+ undergoing breast biopsy.
- Assessment of personality, cognitive appraisal, coping strategies, and mood at multiple time points (pre-biopsy, post-diagnosis, post-surgery).
- Statistical analysis to identify predictors of emotional responses.
Main Results:
- No pre-diagnosis differences in appraisal, coping, or affect between cancer and benign groups.
- Cancer patients reported more negative affect post-biopsy compared to benign patients, controlling for pre-biopsy affect.
- Post-surgery, cancer patients showed reduced vigor and increased fatigue; no differences in other negative emotions were observed.
- Pre-biopsy psychosocial factors explained 54% of negative and 29% of positive emotion variance.
- Cognitive avoidance coping emerged as a key predictor of heightened distress and low vigor.
Conclusions:
- Psychosocial factors significantly influence emotional responses to breast biopsy and diagnosis.
- Cancer diagnosis leads to distinct negative emotional and energy-related changes compared to benign diagnoses.
- Early identification of coping strategies, particularly avoidance, can inform interventions to mitigate distress in women facing breast health concerns.