Depression and Anxiety Among Pregnant and Non-Pregnant Women in Bangladesh: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Breast cancer remains the most frequently diagnosed cancer among women worldwide and continues to represent a major public health challenge. Beyond its physical consequences, breast cancer and its treatment can substantially affect patients’ psychological and social well-being. Women undergoing active treatment often experience fatigue, pain, treatment-related side effects, uncertainty regarding treatment response, concerns about disease progression, changes in body image, and disruptions to family, social, and occupational functioning []. These challenges may have a profound impact on quality of life (QoL), particularly during active treatment, when patients must simultaneously cope with the physical demands of treatment and the emotional burden associated with cancer. QoL is generally understood as a multidimensional construct encompassing physical, psychological, and social well-being (). Given the focus of the present review, particular attention is paid to its psychological and social dimensions, including emotional distress, coping processes, interpersonal relationships, social support, and adaptation to illness. Among the psychological factors influencing QoL, emotional distress is particularly relevant during active treatment. Anxiety, depressive symptoms, fear of recurrence, uncertainty, and difficulties adjusting to treatment demands are common among women with breast cancer. Reported prevalence rates vary substantially depending on the population studied and the assessment methods employed, but emotional difficulties consistently represent one of the strongest predictors of reduced quality of life (). Early identification of psychological symptoms and timely psychosocial support are therefore considered essential components of comprehensive cancer care.