Women's psychological reactions to breast cancer

Breast cancer is the cancer most studied in terms of psychological and psychosocial aspects because of the high prevalence and mortality of the disease and the psychological effects of surgery on an organ rich in meaning. The diagnosis of breast cancer, treatment, and treatment sequelae are major stressors for any woman; however, the psychological impact of the diagnosis and women's emotional responses vary considerably depending on medical parameters of the disease, the patient's psychological make-up and coping abilities, and the availability of emotional and financial support. We document the experience of breast cancer at all phases of the disease for a majority of psychologically healthy women and describe the emotional responses of women who are at high genetic risk of developing breast cancer. Having a comprehensive understanding of psychologically healthy women's reactions to breast cancer is necessary as we attempt to define standards of care and treatment guidelines for both psychologically healthy women with breast cancer and for those with psychiatric disorders that antedate or complicate breast cancer treatment.