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

Abstract

Cancer treatment causes changes in the patient's life, and although this is important, it can be associated with a risk of developing psychological and psychiatric disorders. The aim of this study was to identify symptoms of anxiety and depression, psychiatric disorders (neurotic and psychotic) and personality factors in patients with breast and prostate cancer. The following were used for data collection: sociodemographic questionnaire, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HAD), Big Five Factor Inventory (BIF2), and Self Report Questionnaire. Sixty cancer patients took part in the study, 50% female and diagnosed with breast cancer and 50% male and diagnosed with prostate cancer. The data was 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) of the female sample and 33.3% (n=10) and 16.7% (n=5) of the male sample; possible psychiatric disorders were identified in 33.3% (n=20) of the total sample; and the predominant personality trait was friendliness, 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 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 in which each individual experiences the process of illness and treatment.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.56238/sevened2025.021-048