Psychological Distress in Breast Cancer Patients During Oncological Inpatient Rehabilitation: Incidence, Triggering Factors and Correlation with Treatment-induced Side Effects

As a result of the cancer diagnosis and the mostly multimodal, stressful therapy, psychological distress is a common symptom in breast cancer patients. As part of this prospective study, 1400 patients who were admitted to the hospital for oncological rehabilitation were screened for distress and somatic, therapy-induced secondary disorders. Mean distress in the screened population was 5.6 ± 2.56 (range 0-10). In 942 cases (67.3%) a significant distress score (≥ 5) was detected and in 587 cases (41.9%) very high levels of distress (≥ 7) was observed. Psychological distress significantly correlated with younger age, presence of triple negative breast cancer (TNBC), tumor recurrence and metastasis, and inability to work. Treatment-induced side effects such as lymphedema, CIPN or extensive tumor resection (mastectomy) showed a (not significant) trend for higher distress. The high incidence of distress underscores the importance of psycho-oncological therapy offers and the great importance of occupational measures during oncological rehabilitation such as the importance of a successful return to work for a better quality of life in breast cancer patients.