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Post-Traumatic Stress Symptoms in Breast Cancer: Prevalence, Predictors, Consequences, and Treatment

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Comprehensive Guide to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders

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Abstract

This chapter focuses on post-traumatic stress reactions after being diagnosed with and treated for breast cancer. Post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) are evident in a significant proportion of women after having experienced diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer. Several risk factors for developing long-term PTSS after breast cancer have been identified. Younger age, low education and income, pre-cancer previous psychiatric history, cancer disease severity, poor physical functioning, and acute symptoms of PTSS are predictors of long-term post-cancer PTSS, with poor physical functioning and acute PTSS as the strongest predictors in a large population-based cohort of women treated for breast cancer. Women characterized by these factors may be at risk of developing long-term PTSS after breast cancer and are likely to benefit from evidence-based psychological interventions for PTSS. A strategy for screening for risk of long-term PTSS to identify the women who are most likely to benefit from psychological intervention is suggested. Until further research has been conducted and more firm conclusions can be drawn regarding which interventions strategies are most effective, it is recommended that therapists select the evidence-based method that fits both patient and therapist the best.

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Abbreviations

PTSD:

Post-traumatic stress disorder

PTSS:

Post-traumatic stress symptoms

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Unit for Psychooncology and Health Psychology, Department of Oncology, Aarhus University Hospital and Department of Psychology and Behavioural Science, Bartholins Allé 9, 8000, Aarhus University, Denmark

    Maja O’Connor & Robert Zachariae

Authors
  1. Maja O’Connor
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  2. Robert Zachariae
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Maja O’Connor .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Society and Health, Buckinghamshire New University, Uxbridge, Middlesex, United Kingdom

    Colin R. Martin

  2. FactyofLifeSci&Med,Diabts&NutrnSciRshDiv, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom

    Victor R. Preedy

  3. DepartofBiomedicalSci,SchoolofLifeScienc, University of Westminster, London, United Kingdom

    Vinood B. Patel

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© 2016 Springer International Publishing Switzerland

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O’Connor, M., Zachariae, R. (2016). Post-Traumatic Stress Symptoms in Breast Cancer: Prevalence, Predictors, Consequences, and Treatment. In: Martin, C., Preedy, V., Patel, V. (eds) Comprehensive Guide to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-08359-9_51

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