Traumatic Experiences of Patients With Advanced Cancer

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in advanced cancer patients, their reported traumatic experiences, and the relationship between patients with PTSD and non-PTSD as well as between cancer as trauma versus other traumatic experiences. A descriptive analysis revealed that 195 advanced cancer patients had anxiety disorders; 170 had PTSD, while 25 had other anxiety disorders. The majority of the patients (66.7%) with PTSD reported that their cancer diagnosis was the traumatic event for them. In addition, 10.8% reported that they had experienced a death of a loved one, and the rest (22.5%) reported other traumatic events. Death of a loved one and cancer seemed to be the most traumatic events for patients in advanced stages of cancer, and thus psychotherapeutic treatment is essential.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Kyriaki Mystakidou

Kyriaki Mystakidou is Physician-in-Charge in the Pain Relief and Palliative Care Unit, Areteion Hospital, Department of Radiology, School of Medicine, University of Athens. Her research specializations are palliative care, oncology, psycho-oncology, pain, cancer treatment, symptom control, and psychology.

Efi Parpa

Efi Parpa is a Clinical Psychologist working in the Pain Relief and Palliative Care Unit, Areteion Hospital, Department of Radiology, School of Medicine, University of Athens. Her research specializations are palliative care, psycho-oncology, psychology, health psychology, clinical psychology, psychiatry, and counseling.

Eleni Tsilika

Eleni Tsilika is working in the Pain Relief and Palliative Care Unit, Areteion Hospital, Department of Radiology, School of Medicine, University of Athens. Her research specializations are palliative care, psycho-oncology, psychology, health psychology, clinical psychology, psychiatry, and counseling.

Irene Panagiotou

Irene Panagiotou is working in the Pain Relief and Palliative Care Unit, Areteion Hospital, Department of Radiology, School of Medicine, University of Athens. Her research specializations are palliative care, oncology, psycho-oncology, pain, cancer treatment, symptom control, and psychology.

Anna Roumeliotou

Anna Roumeliotou is a registered nurse working in the Pain Relief and Palliative Care Unit, Areteion Hospital, Department of Radiology, School of Medicine, University of Athens. Her research specializations are palliative care, oncology, psycho-oncology, pain, cancer treatment, symptom control, and cancer nursing.

Antonis Galanos

Antonis Galanos is working as a part time colleague in the Pain Relief and Palliative Care Unit, Areteion Hospital, Department of Radiology, School of Medicine, University of Athens. His research specializations are palliative care, oncology, statistics, epidemiology, and orthopaedics.

Athanasios Gouliamos

Athanasios Gouliamos is professor and Director of the Radiology Department in Areteion Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Athens. His research specializations are radiotherapy, radiology, palliative care, and oncology.