BACKGROUND The current Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is a highly stressful event that may lead to significant psychological symptoms, particularly in cancer patients who are at a greater risk of contracting viruses. This study examined the frequency of stressors experienced in relation to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and its relationship with psychological symptoms (i.e., anxiety, depression, insomnia, fear of cancer recurrence) in breast cancer patients. METHODS Thirty-six women diagnosed with a non-metastatic breast cancer completed the Insomnia Severity Index, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, the severity subscale of the Fear of Cancer Recurrence Inventory, and the COVID-19 Stressors Questionnaire developed by our research team. Participants either completed the questionnaires during (30.6%) or after (69.4%) their chemotherapy treatment. RESULTS Results revealed that most of the participants (63.9%) have experienced at least one stressor related to the COVID-19 pandemic (one: 27.8%, two: 22.2%, three: 11.1%). The most frequently reported stressor was increased responsibilities at home (33.3%). Higher levels of concerns related to the experienced stressors were significantly correlated with higher levels of anxiety, depressive symptoms, insomnia, and fear of cancer recurrence, rs(32) = 0.36 to 0.59, all ps < 0.05. CONCLUSIONS Cancer patients experience a significant number of stressors related to the COVID-19 pandemic, which are associated with increased psychological symptoms. These results contribute to a better understanding of the psychological consequences of a global pandemic in the context of cancer and they highlight the need to better support patients during such a challenging time.

中文翻译：

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乳腺癌患者的 COVID-19 大流行压力源和心理症状

背景 当前的 2019 年冠状病毒病 (COVID-19) 大流行是一种压力很大的事件，可能会导致严重的心理症状，尤其是在感染病毒风险更大的癌症患者中。这项研究检查了与正在进行的冠状病毒大流行有关的压力源的频率及其与乳腺癌患者心理症状（即焦虑、抑郁、失眠、害怕癌症复发）的关系。方法 36 名被诊断为非转移性乳腺癌的女性完成了我们研究团队开发的失眠严重程度指数、医院焦虑和抑郁量表、癌症复发恐惧量表的严重程度分量表和 COVID-19 压力因素问卷。参与者在 (30.6%) 或之后 (69. 4%) 他们的化疗。结果 结果显示，大多数参与者 (63.9%) 经历过至少一种与 COVID-19 大流行相关的压力源（一名：27.8%，两名：22.2%，三名：11.1%）。最常报告的压力源是在家中增加的责任（33.3%）。与经历的压力源相关的更高水平的担忧与更高水平的焦虑、抑郁症状、失眠和对癌症复发的恐惧显着相关，rs(32) = 0.36 至 0.59，所有 ps < 0.05。结论癌症患者经历了大量与 COVID-19 大流行相关的压力源，这些压力源与心理症状增加有关。