Anxiety, depression, traumatic stress and quality of life in colorectal cancer after different treatments: A study with Portuguese patients and their partners

Purpose: This study examines the impact of different modes of treatment on depression, anxiety, traumatic
stress and quality of life in colorectal cancer patients and their partners.
Methods: The sample was comprised of 114 oncology patients and 67 partners. All patients were diagnosed
with colorectal cancer. Participants were recruited from an Oncology Hospital in the North of
Portugal and had been submitted to three modes of treatment: surgery, surgery plus chemotherapy or
surgery followed by radiotherapy.
Results: The results showed that patients who received only surgery, as treatment, had lower levels of
depression, anxiety and traumatic stress symptoms when compared with patients who received surgery
and chemotherapy or surgery plus radiotherapy. Partners of surgical patients presented lower levels of
state anxiety and traumatic stress symptoms when compared with the other two groups. Patients with
more depression had partners also more depressed. No relationship was found between anxiety and
traumatic stress symptoms in patients and partners. Patients who received a diagnosis longer than 12
months had more traumatic stress, intrusion and hypervigilance. Patients with illness recurrence showed
more traumatic symptoms. Anxiety and depression were the main predictors of patient’s quality of life.
Traumatic stress was a predictor of symptom distress - pain/bowel pattern.
Conclusion: This study highlights the importance of providing psychological interventions for cancer
patients and their partners. Chemotherapy patients and those diagnosed over a year, as well as their
partners, are more at risk.