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

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.