1865P - Women with elderly early-stage breast cancer with type A personality may have decreased self-esteem after chemotherapy: A pilot study (POSEIDON Study)

Background

This study aimed to determine how the chemotherapy process can lead to a change in self-esteem in elderly patients with early-stage breast cancer according to personality type.

Methods

The research was completed as a pilot study between 2019-2022. Female patients aged 65 and over who were planned for adjuvant treatment were included in the study. Personality type and self-esteem were determined in all patients before and after adjuvant chemotherapy. Bortner Rating Scale was used to determine personality type, and Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale was used to determine self-confidence. Paired t-test was performed for recurrent variables in pre-treatment and post-treatment measures. Multivariate logistic (binary) regression analysis was performed to determine the independent factors affecting low self-esteem from the study variables with the model created as a result of correlation and univariate analysis. Statistical analysis was performed using the SPSS v19 program and a p value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

A total of 69 Her2-negative elderly female patients were included in this pilot study. The mean age of the patients was 68 years (65-72). 54% had radical mastectomy. 69% received paclitaxel for 12 weeks, 21% received 6x DC, and 10% received 3x CEF followed by 3x docetaxel for adjuvant setting. 56% of them had personality type A. Before treatment, 62% had high self-esteem and this was significantly higher in type A personality than in type B (84% vs 48%, respectively; p=0.037). While the rate of high self-esteem decreased in type A personality after treatment (p=0.009), there was no change in type B personality (p=0.379). It was determined that type A personality structure was independent affecting low self-esteem after treatment (OR 5.37 95%CI 1.489-9.396; p=0.006).

Conclusions

In this study, it was concluded that elderly women with type A personality structure may be more sensitive and may have low self-esteem after the treatment is completed. It was concluded that the personality type should be guided by the patient's treatment compliance, need for psychosocial support, and coping methods after the completion of the treatment, supported by the physician.

Clinical trial identification

Editorial acknowledgement

Legal entity responsible for the study

Ethics committee approval could not be obtained because it was a pilot study. In the follow-up research, the results of the pilot study will be declared and consent will be obtained.

Funding

Has not received any funding.

Disclosure

The author has declared no conflicts of interest.