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Psychological support for patients undergoing breast cancer surgery: a randomised study

BMJ 1996; 312 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.312.7034.813 (Published 30 March 1996) Cite this as: BMJ 1996;312:813
  1. June M C McArdle, research nursea,
  2. W David George, professor of surgeryb,
  3. Colin S McArdle, honorary professor of surgerya,
  4. David C Smith, consultant surgeonc,
  5. Alastair R Moodie, former chairmand,
  6. A V Mark Hughson, consultant psychiatriste,
  7. Gordon D Murray, directorf
  1. a University Department of Surgery, Royal Infirmary, Glasgow G31 2ER
  2. b University Department of Surgery, Western Infirmary, Glasgow G11 6NT
  3. c Division of Surgery, Victoria Infirmary, Glasgow G42 9TY
  4. d Tak Tent, 100 University Place, Glasgow G12 6SQ
  5. e Division of Psychiatry, Leverndale Hospital, Glasgow G53 7TU
  6. f Robertson Centre for Biostatistics, University of Glasgow G12 8QQ
  1. Correspondence to: Dr Hughson.
  • Accepted 4 December 1995

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the effect of support from a nurse specialising in breast care and a voluntary support organisation on prevalence of psychological morbidity after surgery for breast cancer.

Design: Prospective randomised study.

Setting: Three teaching hospitals in Glasgow with established breast clinics.

Subjects: 272 women aged less than 70 years undergoing surgery for breast cancer.

Interventions: Patients were randomly allocated to receive routine care from ward staff, routine care plus support from breast care nurse, routine care plus support from voluntary organisation, or routine care plus support from nurse and organisation.

Main outcome measures: Prevalence of psychological morbidity as assessed by self rating scales: 28 item general health questionnaire and its subscales, and hospital anxiety and depression scale. Measurements were made at first postoperative clinic visit and at three, six, and 12 months after surgery.

Results: On each self rating scale, psychological morbidity tended to fall over the 12 month period. For each scale, scores were consistently lower in patients offered support from breast care nurse alone compared with the other groups, which were similar to each other. Differences were significant or nearly so: P values were 0.015 (28 item general health questionnaire), 0.027 (anxiety and insomnia), 0.072 (severe depression), 0.053 (somatic symptoms), 0.031 (social dysfunction), 0.093 (hospital anxiety), and 0.003 (hospital depression).

Conclusion: Support from breast care nurse can significantly reduce psychological morbidity, as measured by self rating scales, in women undergoing breast cancer surgery.

Key messages

  • Key messages

  • The value of different forms of psychological support for breast cancer patients is uncertain

  • We compared effect of four different types of support for patients undergoing surgery for breast cancer: routine care from ward staff, routine care plus support from specialist breast care nurse, routine care plus support from voluntary organisation, or routine care plus support from nurse and organisation

  • Scores of psychological morbidity were consistently lower in patients offered support from breast care nurse alone compared with the other groups, which were similar to each other

  • Psychological support from an experienced breast care nurse can reduce psychological morbidity in patients undergoing surgery for breast cancer

Footnotes

  • Funding The Cancer Research Campaign.

  • Conflict of interest None.

  • Accepted 4 December 1995
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