Psychosocial issues in breast cancer.

The breast cancer experience can bring with it a broad range of emotional sequelae for the woman, her spouse/partner, and her family. Often, patients bear these emotional burdens silently and miss opportunities for the physician and health care team to offer recommendations and interventions for her and her family. The proactive physician evaluating these potential difficulties and using the strength a good relationship with the patient in making appropriate referrals for counseling or support group does much to help the woman embrace as full a recovery as possible. Recommendations presented by the woman's physician are most often heeded. The physician must intervene on behalf of the woman to ensure that psychosocial support needs are met. Physicians are encouraged to adopt this orientation and to use an integrated approach in caring for the woman with breast cancer. (6)