BREAST AND PROSTATE CANCER: PERSONALITY FACTORS, ANXIETY, DEPRESSION AND PSYCHIATRIC DISORDERS

Abstract

Cancer treatment promotes changes in the patient's life, and although it is important, it can be associated with risk for the development of psychological and psychiatric disorders. The present study aimed to identify symptoms of anxiety and depression, psychiatric disorders (neurotic and psychotic) and personality factors in patients with breast and prostate cancer. For data collection, the following were used: sociodemographic questionnaire, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HAD), Big Five Factor Inventory (BIF2), and Self Report Questionnaire. 60 cancer patients participated in the research, 50% female and diagnosed with breast cancer and 50% male and diagnosed with prostate cancer. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Spearman's correlation analysis. Possible and probable anxious and depressive symptoms were identified, respectively, in 36.7% (n=11) and 33.3% (n=10) in the female sample and 33.3% (n=10) and 16.7% (n=5) in the male sample; in 33.3% (n=20) of the total sample, possible psychiatric disorders were identified; and the predominant personality trait was agreeableness, with 100% (n=30) in the male sample and 83.3% (n=25) in the female sample. The findings refute the initial hypothesis, based on the current literature, that patients with neuroticism traits could have higher scores for mood disorders and/or psychiatric disorders (neurotic or psychotic). The study reveals the importance of considering the emotional impacts associated with cancer diagnosis and treatment, considering that anxious, depressive and psychiatric symptoms are associated with personality traits. Consequently, this emotional impact influences the way each individual experiences the process of illness and treatment.