Breast cancer survivors are prone to "other problems" – PNN



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NEW YORK (Reuters Health) – Breast cancer survivors could increase their risk of anxiety, depression, sleep disorders and other mental health issues, according to a recent study.

The team reviewed data from 60 previously published studies on patients with breast cancer and focused on psychological problems and difficulties in cognitive and sexual functions after one or more years treatment.

"It is necessary to become more aware of the fact that anxiety, depression, and cognitive and sexual disorders are common after breast cancer and that a treatment is available," said Helena Carrera, principal investigator at the London School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine. Early monitoring and treatment of any psychological problems that may appear will help women better cope with the progression of the disease and its consequences. "

In addition to previous studies, this study, published at the National Cancer Institute, appears to lend itself more to the possibility of many mental health problems after breast cancer treatment by women.

For example, a smaller study in the research review found that the risk of anxiety among survivors was lower than in others and that the rate was similar for depression.

Dr. Vermonta Meyer of the Dana-Farber Cancer Center in Boston, who was not part of the study, notes that the studies reviewed focus primarily on older women, while rates of anxiety and depression should be higher among young survivors.

She also e-mailed that survivors could experience severe psychological problems in the first few years after the diagnosis of the disease.

"Many studies have shown that rates of mental illness among survivors more than five years after diagnosis are very similar to overall rates," she said. This means that breast cancer survivors should hope that their psychological symptoms will decrease over time. "

Source: Arab Sky News.

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