Abstract : The study aimed to determine depression, anxiety symptoms and coping strategies among women with breast cancer during chemotherapy, and to investigate the relationship between them. A descriptive correlational design was utilized. The study was carried out in the oncology unit at Assiut University Hospital and South Egypt Cancer Institute. The sample comprised of all women with breast cancer on chemotherapy attending the oncology unit and South Egypt Cancer Institute during three months period from January to March 2015. Tools of study comprised of personal data questionnaire, the Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale (HADS) and Brief COPE scale. Results: 62.2%, 32.4% of the studied group were abnormal (case) anxiety, and depression respectively. The highest mean scores of coping strategies were related to religion use of emotional support, active coping, use of instrumental support, planning, and positive reframing. Conclusion: The highest mean score of the studied group used emotional focused strategies, as a method of coping with anxiety and depression symptoms. Recommendations: Designing and implementing psychoeducational programs about stressors related to patients with breast cancer.
Key words: psychological distress, Coping Strategies, Breast Cancer, Chemotherapy.