Stages of Breast Cancer

Abstract

The Breast Health Center at the Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center is the first center in Israel to provide medical and psychoso-cial services under one roof. The authors describe a model developed for the special needs of Israeli patients with breast cancer. The model includes three phases of intervention: diagnostic, surgical, and recovery. The underlying assumption is that each phase is characterized by specific stressors, each requiring distinctive adjustment and coping mechanisms. The phasic approach enables the therapist to meet the various needs of the patients.

Key Words:

• Breast cancer
• social worker
• biopsychosocial model
• diagnosis
• hospitalization and surgery
• postoperative stage