Breast cancer has become a public health concern for being the most common cancer type among women worldwide. This is true in the Philippines with a lifetime risk of 1 in every 13 Filipino women. Women in Zamboanga City are affected by this public health concern. The Purpose of this study is to shed light on the mental well-being of a breast cancer patient which is an important aspect in the totality of their health which health care providers should address. This is an analytical cross-sectional study which took place in Zamboanga City Medical Center and Zamboanga Doctor’s Hospital. The respondents were diagnosed female breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. 34 respondents were chosen in the study through purposive sampling with a total count sample size. Two sets of questionnaires were used for the data gathering of the social demographic profile, level of psychological stress and coping strategies. Data gathered were subjected to descriptive analysis and ANOVA with eta through Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). All respondents experienced psychological stress, with 79% having symptoms of depression while the remaining had symptoms of anxiety. Results showed that depressive symptoms are linked to the patients’ age, ethnicity and religion. On the other hand, anxiety symptoms were linked to ethnicity and religion. Breast Cancer and chemotherapy are stressful life events which affect the mental well-being of patients. There was a significant association between depressive symptoms and respondents who were at their late age, Bisayan and Roman Catholics. Furthermore, anxiety symptoms are significantly associated with the Tausug and Islam. In order to minimize the impact of stress, adaptive coping strategies were utilized by most of the respondents, specifically, seeking social support, planful problem – solving and positive reappraisal. However, the reason why these factors are associated to coping is not yet clear. Hence, further studies are necessary to provide further insight as regards to stress and the coping strategies among breast cancer patients in Zamboanga City.

Keyword: Psychological stress and coping strategies Female breast cancer patients