The silent killer: psychological issues in ovarian cancer.
Ovarian cancer represents about 4% of all cancers in women and is the fifth leading cause of death in the United States each year. Ovarian cancer is associated with uncertainty, anxiety, and depression. Many women present with advanced disease at diagnosis and are faced with aggressive surgical and medical protocols to treat them. To meet the needs of women with ovarian cancer, the effects of their physical problems on psychological adjustment must be identified. Health care professionals must closely monitor women with ovarian cancer to identify those who may require ongoing psychological care or psychiatric intervention. This article presents an overview of ovarian cancer, focusing on the psychological effects, and an intervention by oncology nurse specialists to address both the physical and emotional distress that accompanies ovarian cancer. The importance of screening for psychological distress is emphasized.
McCorkle
Ruth
R
Yale University School of Nursing, 100 Church St South, PO Box 9740, New Haven, CT 06536, USA. ruth.mccorkle@yale.edu
Pasacreta
Jeannie
J
Tang
Siew Tzuh
ST
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D001007:Anxiety / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D018939:Holistic Nursing / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D009859:Oncology Nursing / Q000592:standards; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000451:nursing* / Q000523:psychology* / Q000601:surgery; D010052:Ovariectomy / Q000523:psychology; D014481:United States; D016387:Women's Health