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Breast Cancer Research and Treatment
Published in: Breast Cancer Research and Treatment 2/2010

01-09-2010 | Epidemiology

Depressive symptoms among young breast cancer survivors: the importance of reproductive concerns

Authors: Jessica R. Gorman, Vanessa L. Malcarne, Scott C. Roesch, Lisa Madlensky, John P. Pierce

Published in: Breast Cancer Research and Treatment | Issue 2/2010

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Abstract

Breast cancer diagnosis and treatment can negatively impact fertility in premenopausal women and influence reproductive planning. This study investigates whether concerns about reproduction after breast cancer treatment were associated with long-term depressive symptoms. Participants include 131 women diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer at age 40 or younger participating in the Women’s Healthy Eating and Living (WHEL) Survivorship Study. Participants were enrolled an average of 1.5 years postdiagnosis and depressive symptoms were monitored 6 times throughout the average additional 10 year follow-up period. Detailed recall of reproductive concerns after treatment was collected an average of 12 years postdiagnosis. Multilevel regression was used to evaluate whether mean long-term depressive symptoms differed as a function of reproductive concerns and significant covariates. Multilevel regression identified greater recalled reproductive concerns as an independent predictor of consistent depressive symptoms after controlling for both social support and physical health (B = 0.02, SE = 0.01, P = 0.04). In bivariate analyses, being nulliparous at diagnosis and reporting treatment-related ovarian damage were both strongly associated with higher reproductive concerns and with depressive symptoms. Reported reproductive concerns after breast cancer treatment were a significant contributor to consistent depressive symptoms. Younger survivors would benefit from additional information and support related to reproductive issues.
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Metadata
Title
Depressive symptoms among young breast cancer survivors: the importance of reproductive concerns
Authors
Jessica R. Gorman
Vanessa L. Malcarne
Scott C. Roesch
Lisa Madlensky
John P. Pierce
Publication date
01-09-2010
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Breast Cancer Research and Treatment / Issue 2/2010
Print ISSN: 0167-6806
Electronic ISSN: 1573-7217
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10549-010-0768-4

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