1879P - Investigating the effect of family support on the mental health of patients with breast cancer

Background

Cancer affects many aspects of life and can have negative consequences such as reducedː health and quality of life and mental disorders. Cancer patients face most of the stressors associated with diagnosis and treatment. The aim of this study is investigating the effect of family support on the mental health of patients with breast Cancer.

Methods

This cross-sectional study examined 70 breast cancer patients who were referred within 6 months to Imam Khomeini and Shohadah Ha* Tir Hospitals for radiotherapy, chemotherapy or follow- up treatment. In terms of mental health, these patients were assessed using the criteria of hospital anxiety and depression and distress thermometer, and the level of family support using the McMaster Family Assessment Device and attachment style criteria. The psychiatric interview with the patients was conducted by the psychiatric resident and all questionnaires were completed by her in face-to-face interviews or video calls with the patient. Before the start of the study, all patients gave written informed consent. The Family Support Questionnaire contains 60 questions that identify the structural, professional, and interactive characteristics of the family. This questionnaire has 7 subscales.

Results

The mean (standard deviation) of the total score on the Family Support Questionnaire for the subjects studied was 15.7 (2.96) with a range of 9.87 to 21.06. the mean (standard deviation) of anxiety and depression scores were 9.68 (5.34) and 8.34 (4.41), respectively. the results show that increasing the score on anxiety and depression significantly increases family support and its sub-comparisons.

Conclusions

The study revealed that the mean scores of the depression and anxiety in breast cancer patients is more than normal limitation. The results showed that decreasing family support and its sub- comparisons (an increase in the score indicates an unhealthy situation) significantly increases anxiety and depression in these individuals.

Clinical trial identification

Editorial acknowledgement

Legal entity responsible for the study

Iran University of Medical Sciences.

Funding

Has not received any funding.

Disclosure

All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.