Journal of the National Cancer Institute
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J. Natl. Cancer Inst. · Apr 2013
Multicenter StudyRacial disparities in posttraumatic stress after diagnosis of localized breast cancer: the BQUAL study.
Little is known about the development of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) over time among women diagnosed with breast cancer. This study examines changes in PTSD symptoms in the first 6 months after diagnosis and assesses racial/ethnic differences in PTSD symptomatology over time. ⋯ Nearly one-quarter of women newly diagnosed with breast cancer reported symptoms consistent with PTSD shortly after diagnosis, with increased risk among black and Asian women. Early identification of PTSD may present an opportunity to provide interventions to manage symptoms.