Post - oncological syndrome

21% of cancer patients develop "survivor's syndrome"

Natalia Pelezneva, Naked Science

Scientists from Malaysia and the USA conducted a study involving 469 adult patients who were diagnosed with cancer. The researchers concluded that six months after the diagnosis was announced, 21.7% of patients develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In 6.1% of patients, symptoms of PTSD persisted for at least four years after the disease was detected.

Post-traumatic stress disorder is diagnosed in people who have experienced a traumatic situation. The most well-known and studied manifestations of PTSD in participants of military operations ("Vietnam syndrome"). People suffering from PTSD have a high level of anxiety for a long time after traumatic events. They experience psychopathological re–experiences ("flashbacks") - they suddenly and involuntarily experience a traumatic experience over and over again. PTSD can also manifest itself in the form of loss of memory about the event.

Scientists interviewed patients three times: a month, six months and four years after the announcement of the diagnosis. When composing the questions, several methods were used to identify the level of stress. The HADS (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale) scale allows you to determine how severe anxiety and depressive symptoms are experienced by hospital patients. Patients whose indicators were higher than normal six months after the first survey underwent a structured clinical diagnostic interview to identify PTSD according to the standards of the DSM-IV guidelines.

Six months later, symptoms of PTSD were detected in 21.7% of patients, four years later – in 6.1%. Scientists also noticed that breast cancer patients were at the lowest risk of developing the disorder. Six months after the diagnosis, PTSD developed in them on average 3.7 times less often than in other patients. The reason for this, researchers believe special programs aimed at the rehabilitation of breast cancer patients. These programs often include psychological counseling and work in mutual support groups.

The authors of the work believe that since many cancer patients prefer not to talk about their emotions during treatment, their stress level is higher. According to scientists, the organization of psychological care for patients will help reduce the prevalence of PTSD.

Previously, scientists have suggested that the antibiotic doxycillin may weaken the brain's ability to form obsessive memories of trauma.

The study is published in the journal Cancer.

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