The Importance of Psychological Interventions in the Treatment of Women with Breast Cancer

Abstract

Considering the large incidence of breast cancer in Brazil and the problems involving the diagnosis and treatment in the lives of the women with breast cancer, it is very important the work of psychotherapists, who help and give all the proper support to the patient and their family during that tough period. This professional will help women on maintaining their psychological well-being during the treatment. A full range of studies on breast cancer confirms that all the patients who have undergone a psychological treatment have a better adjustment to the disease, less emotional distresses (like anxiety and depression), a better response to the treatment and a significant reduction of the adverse symptoms caused by the cancer itself and its treatment, and the life span of the patient may be even increased. The work of psychotherapists in the field is very recent and still not well understood. We believe that it is very important and extremely necessary for this discipline to be recognized and properly disseminated among health professionals, so that the patients get the psychological and emotional support they need.