Anxiety, Stress and Depression in Breast Cancer Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy; a Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to identify the level of anxiety, stress and depression in breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. METHODOLOGY: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Banda Aceh City, Indonesia. The total population of breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy during September 2023 was used as a sample, making the sample size 60 respondents. The data collection tool was the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale 42 (DASS-42) questionnaire. Independent t-test was used to examine the difference in anxiety scores at the second measurement in the intervention and control groups. RESULTS: Sixty percent were pre-elderly or 45-59 years old, with secondary education 53.3%, Aceh ethnicity 81.7%, married 73.3%, working 66.7%, fifth chemotherapy cycle 38.3%, and 58.3% menopausal women. A total of 43.3% in moderate level anxiety, moderate level stress, 33.3%, and 46.7% mild level depression. CONCLUSION: The most significant frequency of anxiety is moderate level, stress is moderate level, and depression is mild level depression. Recommendation for hospital: a multidisciplinary approach is needed to reduce anxiety, stress and depression. Nurses are expected to develop appropriate interventions, including a culture-based approach.

Keywords

• anxiety
• breast cancer
• chemotherapy
• depression