Depression, Anxiety, and Quality of Life of Breast Cancer Patients’ Husbands Before and After Treatment

The incidence of breast cancer poses a variety of physical and psychological stresses to the patients and their families, especially husbands. The aim of this study was to evaluate anxiety, depression, and quality of life of husbands of breast cancer patients before and after cancer treatment.

In this descriptive study, we recruited husbands of breast cancer patients (n = 142) under treatment at the Breast Cancer Clinic of the ACECR. The participants completed the Beck Depression Inventory, Beck Anxiety Inventory, and SF-36 before and after completion of their wives’ treatments.

The husbands had significantly lower anxiety (p < 0.001) and depression (p < 0.002) following their wives’ treatment However, their sexual satisfaction had declined at the posttreatment period. The mean scores on three dimensions of quality of life, i.e., physical functioning, general health perception, and mental health, were also declined after the treatment. Most of the husbands had more physical problems after the treatment of their spouses.

It is necessary for health and medical organizations to provide extensive educational services and behavioral interventions to the patients and their families at different stages of diagnosis and treatment.