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Distress: Characterizing What Causes the Thermometer to Shift in Patients with Newly Diagnosed Breast Cancer Attending a Multidisciplinary Clinic

  • Breast Oncology
  • Published:
Annals of Surgical Oncology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Background

A diagnosis of breast cancer (BC) can result in multifactorial stress. If not addressed, distress can have a negative impact on outcomes. The experience of patients with newly diagnosed BC has not been sufficiently investigated. This study characterizes distress among new patients in a multidisciplinary care (MDC) clinic. The study aimed to determine the degree of distress at presentation, to characterize the sources, and to evaluate the impact of an MDC visit.

Methods

A retrospective review was performed from January 2015 to November 2017. Charts were accessed for demographics, tumor characteristics, and treatment data. Distress scores (DS) and problems as captured using the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) Distress Thermometer were completed before evaluation and in a subgroup after an MDC visit. Predictors of severe distress (DS ≥4) were investigated using multivariable logistic regression. The paired t test was used to determine the impact of an MDC visit.

Results

The mean initial DS (n = 474) was 4.98. The top four sources of distress were worry, anxiety, fears, and sadness. Age younger than 65 years was significantly associated with a higher DS at presentation (p < 0.003). Among the patients queried before and after MDC (n = 137), a significant reduction in distress was identified (5.58–2.94; p < 0.0005).

Conclusions

Severe distress was found in 66 % of the patients with a recent diagnosis of BC, with younger age related to higher distress scores at presentation. Emotional stressors were the predominant factors accounting for distress. A same-day MDC visit was associated with a significant reduction in DS. These data indicate the importance and feasibility of proactively screening patients. Our research lends support to the value of multidisciplinary evaluation in this setting.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Surgery, Brown University Warren Alpert Medical School, Providence, RI, USA

    Chelsey C. Ciambella MD

  2. Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, RI, USA

    Chelsey C. Ciambella MD, Charu Taneja MD, Don S. Dizon MD, FACP, FASCO, Doreen L. Wiggins MD, Christine M. Emmick MD, Kara L. Leonard MD, Mary L. Lopresti DO, Sabrina Witherby MD, Diana Cabral, Serena Snow CN & Theresa A. Graves MD

  3. Lifespan Health System, Providence, RI, USA

    Charu Taneja MD, Don S. Dizon MD, FACP, FASCO, Doreen L. Wiggins MD, Christine M. Emmick MD, Kara L. Leonard MD, Mary L. Lopresti DO, Sabrina Witherby MD, Diana Cabral, Serena Snow CN & Theresa A. Graves MD

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  1. Chelsey C. Ciambella MD
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  2. Charu Taneja MD
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  3. Don S. Dizon MD, FACP, FASCO
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  4. Doreen L. Wiggins MD
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  5. Christine M. Emmick MD
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  6. Kara L. Leonard MD
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  7. Mary L. Lopresti DO
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  8. Sabrina Witherby MD
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  9. Diana Cabral
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  11. Theresa A. Graves MD
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Correspondence to Chelsey C. Ciambella MD.

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Ciambella, C.C., Taneja, C., Dizon, D.S. et al. Distress: Characterizing What Causes the Thermometer to Shift in Patients with Newly Diagnosed Breast Cancer Attending a Multidisciplinary Clinic. Ann Surg Oncol 26, 3204–3209 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1245/s10434-019-07544-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1245/s10434-019-07544-z

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