ArticlePsycho-oncology2012
An examination of distress, sleep, and fatigue in metastatic breast cancer patients.
Article in Psycho-oncology, 2012. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 48 papers, 2 of them syntheses that pooled it.
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The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
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Who cites it
48 citing papers in PubMed, 2 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 95 citations in OpenAlex.
- Systematic review of sleep disorders in cancer patients: can the prevalence of sleep disorders be ascertained?Cancer medicine · 2015Pooled it
- Quantifying psychological distress among cancer patients in interventions and scales: a systematic review.Current pain and headache reports · 2014Pooled it
- Trial
- A qualitative exploration of factors that influence engagement with a digital mental health intervention for women with metastatic breast cancer: Finding My Way-Advanced.Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer · 2025Trial
- Access to results of patient reported outcome surveys did not improve longitudinal patient reported outcomes in breast cancer patients in a randomized controlled trial.American journal of surgery · 2025Trial
- Acceptance and commitment therapy for symptom interference in metastatic breast cancer patients: a pilot randomized trial.Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer · 2018Trial
- Randomized controlled trial of supportive-expressive group therapy and body-mind-spirit intervention for Chinese non-metastatic breast cancer patients.Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer · 2016Trial
- Beta Testing an mHealth Symptom Management Intervention for People With Advanced Cancer: Single-Cohort Feasibility and Acceptability Study.JMIR cancer · 2026Article
- The LIFT UP study: feasibility of systematically identifying and addressing resource needs in those with metastatic breast cancer.Breast cancer research and treatment · 2026Article
- Effect of home-based pulmonary rehabilitation on ventilation dynamics and small airway dysfunction in people with post-tuberculosis lung disease.Journal of clinical tuberculosis and other mycobacterial diseases · 2025Article
- Multilevel barriers and supportive care preferences of metastatic breast cancer patients and their caregivers: a mixed-methods analysis.Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer · 2025Article
- A protocol for a feasibility study of Cognitive Bias Modification training (IVY) countering fatigue in people with breast cancer.Pilot and feasibility studies · 2024Article
- High-value breast cancer care within resource limitations.The oncologist · 2024Review
- Article
- Psychosocial support among adults living with metastatic breast cancer: Perspectives from providers across four New York-Presbyterian hospitals.Psycho-oncology · 2024Article
- Incidence and risk factors for psychological distress in adult female patients with breast cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Frontiers in psychiatry · 2024Review
- Mental Health Care Utilization and its Barriers among Iranian Breast Cancer Survivors: A Cross-sectional Study.International journal of community based nursing and midwifery · 2024Article
- Depression trajectories during the COVID-19 pandemic: a secondary analysis of the impact of cognitive-appraisal processes.Journal of patient-reported outcomes · 2023Article
- Depression, anxiety and stress among metastatic breast cancer patients on chemotherapy in China.BMC nursing · 2023Article
- Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
2 authors at 1 institution in 1 country.
Funding
Abstract
objectiveFew studies have used rapid screening instruments to document the prevalence of distress among metastatic breast cancer patients. This study used the one-item Distress Thermometer (DT) to assess distress in this population. Anxiety and depressive symptoms, sleep problems, fatigue, and mental health service use were assessed for patients who met the cutoff on the DT for probable distress (score ≥4).
methodsA total of 173 metastatic breast cancer patients rated their distress on the DT. Respondents who met study eligibility criteria (n = 90), including a score ≥4 on the DT, completed a telephone survey 1 week later that assessed anxiety, depressive symptoms, sleep problems, and fatigue. Associations of study outcomes with demographic and medical characteristics were computed.
resultsSixty percent of the 173 patients met the cutoff for probable distress on the DT. Meeting this cutoff was not associated with age, ethnicity, time since diagnosis, or medical treatments. The majority (61%) of respondents who were classified as distressed on the DT reported clinically significant anxiety or depressive symptoms 1 week later. On average, these patients also showed significant fatigue and sleep disturbance, with 70% reporting decrements in sleep quality. Only 29% of patients with significant anxiety or depressive symptoms accessed mental health services.
conclusionsResults point to a high prevalence of distress, sleep problems, and fatigue across demographic and medical subgroups of metastatic breast cancer patients. A rapid one-item screening tool may be used to identify patients with a potential need for psychosocial assessment and intervention.
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