How can we best identify mood disorder in women with breast cancer?

Outline
A series of prospective studies conducted in the Unit has shown that over 50% of patients report significant anxiety and/or depression at some time in the year after diagnosis and that patient- rather than treatment- or disease-related factors predict this mood disorder. During routine medical care only 20-50% of these distressed patients are recognised and referred for appropriate help. We have demonstrated the utility of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale, a self report mood questionnaire, in identifying 90% of breast cancer patients who develop a severe mood disorder in the year after diagnosis. A prospective study of 300 patients with all stages of disease is currently in progress to examine the natural history and risk factors for mood disorder over 5 years after diagnosis, including the impact of i) delayed presentation ii) experience of other severe life events and iii) relapse.

Duration of Study
1991-2000

Main Researcher
Caroline Burgess

Publications
Ramirez AJ Richards MA Jarrett SR & Fentiman IS. Can mood disorder in women with breast cancer be identified preoperatively? British Journal of Cancer 1995; 72: 1509-1512.

Pinder KL Ramirez AJ Richards MA & Gregory WM (1994) Cognitive responses and psychiatric disorder in women with operable breast cancer. Psycho-Oncology 1994; 3: 129-37.

Pinder KL Ramirez AJ Black ME Richards MA Gregory WM & Rubens RD. Psychiatric disorder in patients with advanced breast cancer: prevalence and associated factors. European Journal of Cancer 1993; 4: 524-527.

Jarrett SR Ramirez AJ Richards MA & Weinman J. Measuring coping in breast cancer. Journal of Psychosomatic Research 1992; 36: 593-602.