Effect of breast cancer surgery on levels of depression and anxiety: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer surgery is a critical intervention with potentially significant psychological impacts. This systematic review and meta-analysis investigate the effect of different surgical approaches on levels of depression and anxiety in breast cancer patients. METHODS: Following the PRISMA 2020 guidelines, we conducted a comprehensive search of international bibliometric databases including PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Embase, up to March 21, 2024. RESULTS: From 1576 identified articles, 13 studies were included after screening and eligibility assessments. Meta-analysis results indicated a significant reduction in depression (SMD: -0.14; 95% CI: -0.25 to -0.02) and anxiety (SMD: -0.42; 95% CI: -0.56 to -0.28) following breast cancer surgery. Subgroup analysis revealed that mastectomy patients experienced a notable decrease in both depression and anxiety, while results for breast-conserving surgery and reconstruction were more varied. CONCLUSIONS: Breast cancer surgery is associated with a decrease in depression and anxiety, particularly following mastectomy. Further research should focus on long-term psychological effects and the development of tailored interventions for different surgical types.