The chosen articles support the implementation of risk reduction strategies for depression in post-operative breast cancer patients. The studies by Kim et al. (2017), Heidari and Ghodusi (2015), Jones et al. (2015), Salibasic and Delibegovic (2018), and Leser et al. (2021) provide a comprehensive overview of depression in breast cancer parents. According to Kim et al. 2017, they have a higher incidence of depression compared to other post-operative patients. The study by Heidari and Ghodusi (2015) places their depression rate at 69% percent. A higher level of depression is witnessed in women who have undergone radical mastectomy (Salibasic & Delibegovis, 2018). The depressive symptoms are primarily connected with the reduced quality of life (Jones et al., 2015) and cosmetic results, such as breast asymmetry (Leser et al., 2021). Satisfaction is reported to be lower right after the operation but escalates over the course of time (Leser et al., 2021). A higher level of depression is connected with a worse survival rate (Antoni et al., 2017). Overall, the literature overview identifies depression in breast cancer patients as a matter of serious concern that needs to be addressed.
In the second group of articles, the care requirements of cancer patients are identified, and the role of improved cancer treatment plans is researched. According to Rooeintan et al. (2019), post-operative patients experience increased emotional problems, anxiety, and adjustment issues, which need to be addressed by nurses. The role of cancer nurses is vital in triaging patient problems, evaluating symptoms, and providing supportive care (Rieger & Yarbro, 2003). Nursing interventions are reported to reduce depression and increase the quality of patients’ life (Sun et al., 2019). The study by Luctkar-Flude (2018) claims that nursing roles need to be optimized to provide comprehensive evidence-based care. Overall, the articles confirm the importance of post-surgical interventions and the vital role of nurses in their delivery.
The articles provide a foundation for the proposed research which supports its importance. Due to the period after discharge being the most vulnerable time for patients, a comprehensive post-discharge care system needs to be developed to improve patients’ physical and mental well-being. The nurse’s role is essential in providing care, but the effectiveness of particular methods and approaches which they can use requires further research.
References
Antoni, M. H., Jacobs, J. M., Bouchard, L. C., Lechner, S. C., Jutagir, D. R., Gudenkauf, L. M., Blomberg, B. B., Glück, S., & Carver, C. S. (2017). Post-surgical depressive symptoms and long-term survival in non-metastatic breast cancer patients at 11-year follow-up. General Hospital Psychiatry, 44, 16–21. Web.
Heidari, M., & Ghodusi, M. (2015). The relationship between body esteem and hope and mental health in breast cancer patients after mastectomy. Indian Journal of Palliative Care, 21(2), 198–202. Web.
Jones, S. M. W., LaCroix, A. Z., Li, W., Zaslavsky, O., Wassertheil-Smoller, S., Weitlauf, J., Brenes, G. A., Nassir, R., Ockene, J. K., Caire-Juvera, G., & Danhauer, S. C. (2015). Depression and quality of life before and after breast cancer diagnosis in older women from the Women’s Health Initiative. Journal of Cancer Survivorship, 9(4), 620–629. Web.
Kim, M. S., Kim, S. Y., Kim, J. H., Park, B., & Choi, H. G. (2017). Depression in breast cancer patients who have undergone mastectomy: A national cohort study. PLoS One, 12(4). Web.
Leser, C., Tan, Y. Y., Singer, C., Zeillinger, R., Fitzal, F., Lehrner, J., König, D., Deutschmann, C., & Gschwantler-Kaulich, D. (2021). Patient satisfaction after breast cancer surgery: A prospective clinical trial. Wiener Klinische Wochenschrift, 133(1-2), 6–13. Web.
Luctkar-Flude, M., Aiken, A., McColl, M. A., & Tranmer, J. (2018). What do primary care providers think about implementing breast cancer survivorship care? Current Oncology, 25(3), 196–205. Web.
Rieger, P. T., & Yarbro, C. H. (2003). Role of the oncology nurse. In Kufe, D. W., Pollock, R. E., & Weichselbaum R. R. (Eds.), Holland-Frei cancer medicine (6th ed.). B. C. Decker. Web.
Rooeintan, M., Khademi, M., Toulabi, T., Nabavi, F. H., & Gorji, M. (2019). Explaining postdischarge care needs of cancer patients: A qualitative study. Indian Journal of Palliative Care, 25(1), 110–118. Web.
Salibasic, M., & Delibegovic, S. (2018). The quality of life and degree of depression of patients suffering from breast cancer. Medical Archives, 72(3), 202–205. Web.
Sun, L., Yan, J., & Wang, L. (2019). Postoperative depression in female patients with breast cancer surgery: An analysis of risk factors and assessment of the efficacy of comprehensive nursing interventions. International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, 12(1), 972–980. Web.