The impact of cancer in women on the family.

Using a family-stress framework, this paper analyzes the psychosocial impact of a woman's cancer on her family. More specifically, this paper explores the emotional distress that spouses and children of patients with breast cancer experience and discusses the role changes that are reported over time. Factors that put certain women and their family members at high risk of poorer adjustment to the woman's cancer also are identified. Finally, directions for future research and the implications of the research for clinical practice are discussed.