Psychological Stress, Neutropenia, and Infectious Disease in Patients Receiving Chemotherapy Treatment for Breast Cancer.
Abstract
Chemotherapy treatment for breast cancer can cause psychological distress on a daily basis and intense distress on treatment days. Previous research raises the possibility that this stress may affect patients' physical health. Our ongoing longitudinal study investigates the hypothesis that stress contributes to the increased risk of infectious disease in women (N = 200) receiving myelotoxic chemotherapy for breast cancer. Study objectives are: (1) To investigate the effects of malor life events prior to treatment on neutropenia and infectious disease during and after chemotherapy in 200 women with breast cancer; (2) To examine the effects of psychological stress associated with individual chemotherapy treatments on neutropenia and infectious disease; and, (3) To explore the relations between episodes of infectious disease and daily psychological stresses. -- During this first year of the four-year study, we initiated and implemented the research plan. As expected at this early stage of a prospective, longitudinal study, additional data is required to address the specific aims. However, the available data allowed the investigation of an ancillary issue-directly relevant to the overall goal of the research - predictors of distress associated with treatment. Results indicate the involvement of classical conditioning mechanisms, suggesting the complexity of possible interactions between psychobehavioral and biological processes.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 30, 1995
- Accession Number
- ADA302434
Entities
People
- Dana H Bovbjerg
Organizations
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center