title: Common psychosocial factors underlying breast cancer screening and breast cancer treatment adherence: a conceptual review and synthesis.
abstract: In this paper, we review the literature on psychosocial influences on breast cancer screening and treatment adherence with an eye to identifying common cognitive, emotional, and social network factors that may lead to poor screening adherence and suboptimal treatment in the case of diagnosed breast cancer. Nonadherence to breast cancer screening and treatment guidelines can significantly and negatively impact the prospects for prevention and control of breast cancer. Psychosocial factors are an especially important focus for research, inasmuch as belief structures and psychosocial characteristics (such as patterns of emotion regulation and the quality of social relations) are modifiable and are, thus, eminently suitable to intervention.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Long Island University, Brooklyn, New York 11201, USA. cmagai@liu.edu
authors.forename: Carol
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Magai
authors.forename: Nathan
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Consedine
authors.forename: Alfred I
authors.initials: AI
authors.lastname: Neugut
authors.forename: Dawn L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Hershman
mesh_terms: D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000523:psychology*; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology*; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000523:psychology*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000458:organization & administration; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D012944:Social Support; D014481:United States; D016387:Women's Health; D014932:Women's Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration