Psychosocial and sexual functioning of survivors of breast cancer.
The literature documents that the majority of breast cancer survivors have adjusted well after their first 2 years since diagnosis. However, there is a subset of survivors reporting psychological distress, including depression and anxiety, involving approximately 30% by 4 years post-treatment, but widely ranging from 5% to 50%, depending on when diagnosed and time since treatment completion. Further, a large proportion of survivors report cancer-related problems long after treatment completion, including cancer-related distress involving body image, fear of recurrence, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and sexual problems. Those with long-term medical sequelae, such as lymphedema, have worse adjustment compared to those who do not. Future research directions are suggested.
Kornblith
Alice B
AB
Women's Cancers Program, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
Ligibel
Jennifer
J
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D013315:Stress, Psychological; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology*