title: [Utilization and utility of psycho-oncologic support of patients with mamma-carcinoma].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study explores patients' utilization of psycho-oncologic support and the effectiveness thereof.
  
  
  METHODS
  At the hospital in Munich-Harlaching, 51 patients were recruited following their first admission to the breast centre, 27 of whom utilized the psycho-oncologic service. They were compared to 24 decliners of the service. All patients completed self-rating questionnaires (Distress-Thermometer and Patient Health Questionnaire) at admission and at release. Group differences were calculated statistically by chi-square- and t-tests.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We found no significant differences between users and decliners concerning socio-demographic and somatic data, but there were significant group differences in mental health. Users reported more mental distress and more depressive and anxiety symptoms. Psycho-oncologic interventions showed small to large effect sizes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although this study corresponded more to external than to internal validity standards, it did yield provisional empirical evidence that psycho-oncologic interventions are effective in the treatment of the mental symptoms of breast cancer patients.
authors.affiliation: Prof. Dr. Dr. Dorothea Huber, Klinik für Psychosomatische Medizin und Psychotherapie, Klinikum München-Harlaching, Sanatoriumsplatz 2, D-81545 München, E-Mail: dorothea.huber@klinikum-muenchen.de.
authors.forename: Claudia A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Denscherz
authors.forename: Kathrin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hoffmann
authors.forename: Ludwig
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lutz
authors.forename: Günther
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Klug
authors.forename: Dorothea
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Huber
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D016522:Oncology Service, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011594:Psychometrics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011613:Psychotherapy; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012803:Sick Role; D012944:Social Support; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014600:Utilization Review / Q000706:statistics & numerical data