The prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress in patients with breast cancer in Southeast Iran in 2019: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Introduction. Today, breast cancer patients suffer from various psychological symptoms that impose irreversible effects on their quality of life. The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress in patients with breast cancer. Material and methods. This descriptive study was performed on 190 women with breast cancer from January 1, 2019 to July 30, 2019. Data collection was carried out using a convenience sampling method. The Standard Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21) was used to assess depression, anxiety, and stress. Results. The mean age of the patients was 46.3 years. Results showed the prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress to be 28.4%, 43.2%, and 14.7%, respectively. Conclusion. The results indicate that it is vital to measure the level of depression and anxiety in women with breast cancer, which are two common mental disorders in breast cancer.