Association of fatigue with perceived stress in Chinese women with early stage breast cancer awaiting adjuvant radiotherapy

Ho, Rainbow T. H.Rainbow T. H.HoKwan, Tracy T. C. KTracy T. C. KKwanCheung, Irene K. M.Irene K. M.CheungDr. CHAN Kar-pui, CaitlinCaitlinDr. CHAN Kar-puiLo, Phyllis H. Y.Phyllis H. Y.LoYip, Paul S. F.Paul S. F.YipLuk, Mai‐yeeMai‐yeeLukChan, Cecilia L. W.Cecilia L. W.Chan2025-09-092025-09-092013Stress and Health, 2015, vol. 31(3), pp. 214-221.1532-29981532-3005http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11861/25046AbstractCancer‐related fatigue (CRF) is common in women with breast cancer, but little is known of its relationship with perceived stress. We conducted a cross‐sectional study to explore the associations of CRF with perceived stress, anxiety, depression, pain and sleep quality in 133 Chinese women (aged 25–68 years) with early stage breast cancer. The majority of women had completed surgery and chemotherapy and were awaiting radiotherapy. Self‐administered questionnaires consisting of the Brief Fatigue Inventory, Perceived Stress Scale‐10, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Brief Pain Inventory, and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index were used to collect data. Forty‐five per cent of the women were severely fatigued. Compared with local healthy women and US breast cancer patients, the group's mean perceived stress score was significantly higher (bothp < 0.01). Higher perceived stress (β = 0.18,p = 0.032), higher anxiety (β = 0.30,p < 0.001) and higher pain severity (β = 0.38,p < 0.001) were associated with increased severity of CRF. The association of CRF with perceived stress was partially mediated by anxiety, suggesting a possible pathway from cancer and cancer treatment to CRF via stress appraisals and emotional distress. The findings indicate the importance of monitoring the psychological status of patients during treatment. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.enCancer-Related FatiguePerceived StressAnxietyChineseBreast CancerAssociation of fatigue with perceived stress in Chinese women with early stage breast cancer awaiting adjuvant radiotherapyPeer Reviewed Journal Article10.1002/smi.2548