How does Pathology Clinic Have Effect on Mental State and Adjustment in Patients with Breast Cancer?

We conducted a paper-based questionnaire and interview targeting patients with breast cancer who had undergone radical surgery, before and after they attended the Pathology Clinic, to investigate the short-term impact on the psychological state and attitude of the patients from attending the Pathology Clinic. There may be increased motivation for treatment and a sense of reassurance, as well as reduction in anxiety in patients as a status indicated by HADS in the group that attended the Pathology Clinic, so this suggests that attending the Pathology Clinic may reduce anxiety in a short term. On the other hand, the MAC Anxious Preoccupation score was significantly higher in the group that attended the Pathology Clinic, both before and after attendance, than the group that did not attend. Therefore, the group that attended may have had characteristics of eliminating anxiety by proactive actions including collecting medical data on the cause of anxiety and adopting healthy behaviors. The result suggests that appropriate support in terms of medical information and emotion is necessary.

Keywords: Breast cancer, HADS, MAC, Mental state, Pathology clinic.