Anxiety, depression and coping in patients with testicular cancer treatment and follow-up period

Abstract

Background: Testicular cancer is the most common malignancy between 15 and 39 years old. Due to the increasing incidence and high survival rate of patients with testicular cancer (CT), literature has focused on the impact that may have the aftermath of medium and long term treatment. The CT and its association with anxiety and depression are common psychological problems, in this context, active coping with this disease may represent a psychological best adaptation mechanism. Objective: To identify and compare the levels of depression and anxiety in patients in treatment and follow-up period; as well as his relationship with positive coping styles. Participants and methods: 49 patients in treatment and follow-up period 84 in the National Cancer Institute follow-up period. It is a transversal, retrospective, not experimental and ex-post-facto. The inventories of Beck Depression –BDI– (1961), the Beck anxiety inventory –BAI– (1988) and the instrument of Lazarus and Folkman (1985) for coping with the stress. Results: Higher levels of anxiety and depression in patients in treatment. If you can identify an inversely proportional relationship between positive coping styles and lower levels of anxious and depressive symptoms in both groups Conclusions: Is confirmed the association between positive coping styles and low levels of depression and anxiety. It is recommended to promote in patients with CT positive coping during treatment and follow-up period