We conducted a paper-based questionnaire and interview targeting patients
with breast cancer who had undergone radical surgery, before and after they attended
the Pathology Clinic, to investigate the short-term impact on the psychological state
and attitude of the patients from attending the Pathology Clinic. There may be
increased motivation for treatment and a sense of reassurance, as well as reduction in
anxiety in patients as a status indicated by HADS in the group that attended the
Pathology Clinic, so this suggests that attending the Pathology Clinic may reduce
anxiety in a short term. On the other hand, the MAC Anxious Preoccupation score was
significantly higher in the group that attended the Pathology Clinic, both before and
after attendance, than the group that did not attend. Therefore, the group that attended
may have had characteristics of eliminating anxiety by proactive actions including
collecting medical data on the cause of anxiety and adopting healthy behaviors. The
result suggests that appropriate support in terms of medical information and emotion is
necessary.
Keywords: Breast cancer, HADS, MAC, Mental state, Pathology clinic.
