Depressive and Anxiety Symptoms During Chemotherapy for Breast Cancer and the Potential Impact of Pre-Treatment Health Behaviors.

Objective: To characterize changes in depressive and anxiety symptoms during breast cancer chemotherapy and investigate how smoking, alcohol use, and physical activity impact these symptoms.

Methods: We conducted a secondary analysis of depressive and anxiety symptoms experienced by women with stage I-III breast cancer during the first 12 weeks of chemotherapy. Symptoms were evaluated using single-item measures (PRSM, PRO-CTCAE) at repeated timepoints. Generalized estimating equation methods estimated the odds of experiencing depressive or anxiety symptoms according to baseline smoking, alcohol use, and physical activity, adjusting for age, race, living alone, and chemotherapy regimen. Cochran Mantel Haenszel tests explored relationships between health behaviors and mental health symptom patterns.

Results: Among 330 participants, 74% were White, 77% had stage I or II breast cancer, and 41% received anthracycline-based regimens. At least moderately severe depressive and anxiety symptoms were reported by 27% and 38%, respectively, and were most prevalent during the first 3 weeks of chemotherapy. Participants who reported current smoking had higher odds of depressive symptoms compared to those who never smoked (aOR 3.17, 95% CI 1.27-7.96) and higher odds of anxiety symptoms compared to both participants who never (aOR 3.67, 95% CI 1.70-7.95) and previously smoked (aOR 3.03, 95% CI 1.5-6.79). Participants who reported current smoking were also more likely to experience delayed and persistent patterns of anxiety.

Conclusions: While depressive and anxiety symptoms declined over time, a substantial minority (≥ 27%) experienced at least moderately severe symptoms during chemotherapy. Patients who smoke may be at particularly elevated risk.