Breast cancer treatment delays raise patient trauma

BREAST cancer treatment delays caused by the coronavirus response led to increased depression and anxiety among patients, which experts fear could harm their chances of survival.

A study by Birkbeck, University of London, found that nearly one in three women diagnosed with primary breast cancer had treatment, appointments or scans postponed.

Those women reported poorer mental health than those who were able to continue treatment, scoring around 20 per cent higher for depression and anxiety on questionnaires.

Experts are concerned not only because delays to therapy can affect survival, but because previous studies have shown that poor mental health can also increase cancer mortality.

Prof Nazanin Derakhshan, founder of Birkbeck’s Centre for Building Resilience in Breast Cancer, who supervised the research, said: “Women with breast cancer are known to be at a heightened risk of developing mental health conditions including anxiety, depression, loss of confidence, worry and fear about their conditions, so it is perhaps not surprising that these feelings can intensify if their treatment is affected.”

Dr Jessica Swainston, of Birkbeck, who led the research, said: “This study provides us with some important lessons for future pandemics.

“It is really important that preparedness plans prioritise the development and implementation of accessible ehealth solutions, psychological treatments or ‘interventions’ that can be delivered in accessible ways such as online, for vulnerable populations.” The research, based on online surveys with 234 women, is published in Frontiers of Psychology – Psycho-oncology.