POST-OPERATIVE CONDITION OF BREAST CANCER PATIENTS FROM STANDPOINT OF PSYCHO-ONCOLOGY - PRELIMINARY RESULTS STANJE PACIJENTKINJA OBOLELIH OD KARCINOMA DOJKE U POSTOPERATIVNOM PERIODU SA PSIHOONKOLOŠKOG ASPEKTA - PRELIMINARNI REZULTATI

Summary Introduction. Information on being diagnosed to have cancer is always shocking for the patient, and it always causes a lot of psy- chosocial problems during its treatment. In these moments, pa- tients need understanding, support and someone who can help them to apprehend all available options and choices clearly. The purpose of this study is to show the psychological states of patients with breast cancer after breast surgery, the importance of the psy- chological support, and first experiences in psycho-oncological management of breast cancer patients. Material and Methods. The study sample included 46 women, their average age being 52.32 (± 8.98), who had answered questions in a questionnaire in the period after surgery. Results. The patients experienced fears and worries associated with almost every part of cancer treatment likely to happen in the near future. The fear of chemotherapy and radiotherapy (67%), the horror of losing hair (59%) and the fear of relapse or disease progression (57%) were evident. Moreover, the patients dreaded the forthcoming pathological results and the deci- sions to be made by the Oncology Commission (57%), with ac- companying insomnia caused by disturbing thoughts in 39% of the patients. Conclusion. These findings suggest that psychologi- cal support is important in this early period after breast surgery due to the vulnerability of the patients, and because it can diminish the risk of potential escalation of distress.