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Psychosocial Impact of Breast Cancer: A Critical Review
Abstract
This article reviews recent literature on the psychosocial impact of breast cancer, with a focus on the adjustment period, treatment, and psychosocial interventions. These studies have shown that as many as one-quarter of women with breast cancer suffer marked psychological morbidity associated with diagnosis and treatment, though for many women psychological distress declines substantially within a year after treatment. Research regarding treatment options has shown that, for women who can be treated with breast-conserving surgery, less invasive surgery may result in less body image concern and better sexual functioning. Factors which appear to moderate the impact of breast cancer on women's psychological health include coping styles, information preferences, social support, and pre-treatment psychiatric morbidity. Studies of psychosocial interventions suggest positive effects of social support, cognitive therapy, and supportive information. Future research efforts should be directed toward understanding special subgroups of women, and developing and testing behavioral interventions to improve psychosocial adjustment among women at high risk. Approaches which enhance patient–provider communication and patient involvement in care may be most beneficial.
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“The diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer bring psychosocial consequences for many patients (Glanz & Lerman, 1992; Moyer & Salovey, 1996), ranging from mild distress to diagnosable mood and anxiety disorders (Antoni, 2003; Holland, 1998).”
From An online stress management workbook for breast cancer (2014) · cites this paper as Glanz & Lerman, 1992
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Items 201–291 of 291
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“Distress can also arise from the continued testing and monitoring of disease status (Burish and Tope 1992; Glanz and Lerman 1992).”
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“Glanz and Lerman (1992) contended that the quality of support provided by important others was essential for the overall wellbeing of women suffering from breast cancer.”
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“Due to the variability of findings on adjustment to the disease discussed in the literature (Ganz et al., 2004; Glanz & Lerman, 1992; Moyer & Salovey, 1996), characterizing personal or contextual factors that may facilitate a better adjustment and psychosocial adaptation is highly relevant to…”
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“…as neuroticism, pessimism, a pre-cancer history of affective disorders such as depression, or having a history of traumatic experiences may increase a patient’s vulnerability to developing PTSD in the context of cancer (Andrykowski & Cordova, 1998; Epping-Jordan et al., 1999; Glanz & Lerman, 1992).”
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Metadata
- Authors
- Glanz, K., & Lerman, C.
- Affiliations
- Fox Chase Cancer Center (US)
- Corresponding author
- Glanz, Karen
- ORCID
- Glanz, Karen
- Venue
- Annals of Behavioral Medicine
- Publisher
- Oxford University Press (OUP)
- Published
- 1992
- Volume
- 14
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 204-212
- ISSN
- 0742-5554 (ISSN-L)
- 0883-6612
- 1532-4796
- OpenAlex
- W2257891381
- Cited by
- 292
- References
- 0
- Citations by year
- 2026: 2 · 2025: 3 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 1 · 2022: 3 · 2021: 2 · 2020: 3 · 2019: 3 · 2018: 2 · 2017: 2 · 2016: 5 · 2015: 5 · 2014: 5 · 2013: 6 · 2012: 10
- FWCI
- 1.12
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Annals of Behavioral Medicine (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Oncology › Cancer survivorship and care
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Women's cancer prevention and management
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Family Support in Illness
- Keywords
- breast cancer, psychosocial impact, psychological distress, psychosocial adjustment, breast-conserving surgery, body image, sexual function, coping styles, social support, information preferences, cognitive therapy, patient-provider communication, behavioral interventions
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