Psychotherapy with a woman at high risk for developing breast cancer.
Women who are at high risk for developing breast cancer increasingly consult with psychiatrists about the psychological, social, and sexual consequences of genetic testing and risk-reducing surgeries such as bilateral mastectomy and oophorectomy. The 9-year psychotherapy with a woman who had bilateral mastectomy because of her family history of breast cancer and who later tested negative for BRCA1 is described and discussed.
Massie
M J
MJ
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10021, USA.
Muskin
P R
PR
Stewart
D E
DE
D000328:Adult; D001293:Attitude to Death; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology*; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D019398:Genes, BRCA1; D005820:Genetic Testing / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D016462:Mammaplasty / Q000523:psychology*; D015413:Mastectomy, Simple / Q000523:psychology; D008487:Medical History Taking; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D011247:Pregnancy