Comparing Fatigue, Loneliness, Daytime Sleepiness, and Stress in Younger and Older Breast Cancer Survivors: A Cross-Sectional Analysis

Background: Breast cancer treatment can negatively affect psychosocial outcomes for breast cancer survivors (BCS), but these outcomes present differently for younger and older survivors.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to compare psychosocial outcomes between younger and older BCS and identify predictors of loneliness in younger BCS.

Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study of 90 BCS evaluated data on sociodemographic and clinical characteristics and self-reported measures of psychosocial outcomes (fatigue, depressive symptoms, anxiety, loneliness, daytime sleepiness, and stress). Participants were dichotomized into two groups by age (aged less than 50 years and aged 50 years or older). Descriptive statistics, bivariate correlations, and multiple regression were also examined.

Findings: Younger BCS reported greater fatigue, loneliness, daytime sleepiness, and stress than older BCS. No between-group differences were found in depressive symptoms or anxiety. Having children and less time since chemotherapy completion were significant predictors of less loneliness in younger BCS.