Objectives: This study explores patients' utilization of psycho-oncologic support and the effectiveness thereof.
Methods: At the hospital in Munich-Harlaching, 51 patients were recruited following their first admission to the breast centre, 27 of whom utilized the psycho-oncologic service. They were compared to 24 decliners of the service. All patients completed self-rating questionnaires (Distress-Thermometer and Patient Health Questionnaire) at admission and at release. Group differences were calculated statistically by chi-square- and t-tests.
Results: We found no significant differences between users and decliners concerning socio-demographic and somatic data, but there were significant group differences in mental health. Users reported more mental distress and more depressive and anxiety symptoms. Psycho-oncologic interventions showed small to large effect sizes.
Conclusions: Although this study corresponded more to external than to internal validity standards, it did yield provisional empirical evidence that psycho-oncologic interventions are effective in the treatment of the mental symptoms of breast cancer patients.