Post-operative condition of breast cancer patients from standpoint of psycho-oncology--preliminary results/Stanje pacijentkinja obolelih od karcinoma dojke u postoperativnom periodu sa psihoonkoloskog aspekta--preliminarni rezultati

Introduction. Information on being diagnosed to have cancer is always shocking for the patient, and it always causes a lot of psychosocial problems during its treatment. In these moments, patients 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 psychological 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 ([+ or -] 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 decisions to be made by the Oncology Commission (57%), with accompanying insomnia caused by disturbing thoughts in 39% of the patients. Conclusion. These findings suggest that psychological 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. Key words: Breast Neoplasms; Female; Postoperative Period; Stress, Psychological; Middle Aged; Questionnaires; Adaptation, Psychological Uvod. Saznanje da im je dijagnostikovan karcinom neminovno izaziva sok kod pacijentkinja, a potom dovodi i do niza drugih psihosocijalnih problema dok traje lecenje. U tim momentima potrebna im je briga, paznja i neko ko ce im pomoci da jasnije sagledaju mogucnosti i izbore koji su pred njima. Cilj studije je da se ukaze na psiholoska stanja pacijentkinja s karcinomom dojke nakon operacije, na vaznost pruzanja psihoonkoloske podrske i prikaz prvih iskustava u radu s pacijentkinjama. Materijal i metode. Uzorak cini 46 pacijentkinja prosecne starosti 52,32 ([+ or -] 8,98) koje su odgovorile na pitanja iz upitnika u postoperativnom periodu. Rezultati. Pacijentkinje dozivljavaju strahove i zabrinutost u vezi sa gotovo svim dogacajima koji su deo procesa lecenja i koji bi trebalo da se dogode u relativno bliskoj buducnosti. Prisutni su strah od hemioterapije i zracenja (67%), uzasavanje