Psychological Processes in Breast Cancer

Abstract

Breast cancer is a process that has a profound psychological impact on one in nine American women and their families. Despite pervasive depression in women during breast cancer surgery and treatment, a woman's psychological state before breast cancer is one of the best predictors of adjustment to the disease one year after surgery. Successful adjustment is found in women who believe they can control the disease process through changes in their lifestyle and who have support from family, friends, and health care professionals. A review of the psychological effects of treatment for breast cancer, coping styles as prognostic indicators of survival, and interpersonal factors that affect adjustment to the disease suggests that coping styles and psychological distress should he included as prognostic indicators. Attention to these psychosocial factors by medical personnel will empower women to control the disease process and thereby modify the impact of breast cancer.