title: Psychiatric aspects of women with breast cancer.
abstract: Women with breast cancer face not only cancer-related taboos but also issues related to changes in sexuality, femininity, and fertility. Although increased emphasis on the woman's participation in the medical decision-making process has afforded her more treatment options, it also gives her more responsibility in determining her course of treatment through the continuum of cancer care. Patients must deal with a variety of issues related to social reintegration, long-term effects of cancer treatment, employment, disability, sexuality, family, and social networks. Screening for distress related to psychological, spiritual/religious, or social concerns can provide guidance for service delivery to those in need.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Jefferson Medical College, 1020 Sansom Street, Thompson Building Suite 1652, Philadelphia, PA 19107-5004, USA. elisabeth.kunkel@jefferson.edu
authors.forename: Elisabeth J Shakin
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Kunkel
authors.forename: Emmie I
authors.initials: EI
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016026:Bone Marrow Transplantation; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D003657:Decision Making; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004965:Estrogen Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008408:Mastectomy; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D013629:Tamoxifen / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D004965:Estrogen Antagonists; D013629:Tamoxifen