MENOPAUSE APPEARANCE AS A RISK FACTOR
FOR PSYCHOLOGICAL DISORDERS IN BREAST CANCER
C.POGONIDIS, E.XENODOXIDOY, E.XRISTODOULOU, L.BORGI, C.BAIOPOULOS, M.LIVADITIS
PSYCHIATRIC DEPARTMENT, DEMOCRITUS UNIVERSITY OF THRACE
SURGICAL DEPARTMENT, KOMOTINI HOSPITAL
INTRODUCTION: A significant percentage (25%) of women suffering from breast
cancer, are diagnosed to have a kind of anxiety disorder or depression during the
first two years after treatment. It is usual phenomenon for busy surgeons to evaluate
those women as having a normal physiological reaction and the medical advice of a
psychiatrist is frequently not asked. However, 5% of women who are examined by
psychiatrists suffer from psychiatric disorders that need the help of an expert.
CASE REPORT:
A 51 years old -woman, smoker and overweight ( BMI:26)
,mother of a girl 15 years old, having entered the pre-menopausal period, was
examined in a mammography program of regional organization. The
mammography’s and following needle biopsy’s findings were positive for malignant
tumour, an adenocarcinoma. The patient accepted to follow the treatment and
underwent a modified mastectomy and complementary post surgical actinotherapy
and hormonotherapy as well. Three months after the operation the quality of
patient΄s life had dramatically been influenced, but was evaluated as a normal
reaction at start. She abandoned her occupation, she was devoting too many hours
to sleep and she had no time for her usual activities, such as reading. She lost about
8 Kilos, and had asked and managed to have numerous diagnostic controls without
any real pathological disorders. Her sexual life changed dramatically and she did not
follow the treatment directions. Due to the fear for breast cancer in the remnant
breast had reported ideas for suicide. When she eventually visited a psychiatrist, a
major depressive episode was diagnosed and anti-depressive therapy and
psychotherapy were recommended. After 3 months, the same woman, had already
started to hope for a definite cure and taking care of her problem. She conformed to
the treatment, started to follow a regional sport program and came closer to her
husband and child.
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