Partnerschaftliche Aspekte bei Patientinnen mit fortgeschrittenem Mammakarzinom

The psychosocial burden of breast cancer not only affects the woman with the disease, but also her immediate family, especially her partner. In addition to individual stresses such as anxiety, depression, or worry, there can also be dyadic stresses on the couple and the partnership. Communication between partners is a particular challenge. Talking about one’s own fears and worries or death and dying often leads to speechlessness within a couple. This in turn can lead to dissatisfaction in the relationship and a lack of support from the partner. The risk of separation can increase. In addition, there are changes in sexual function that can occur as a result of medical treatment, psychological distress, and/or changes in body image. Here too, there is often a lack of open communication, both within the couple and with the medical team. Cancer is a stressor for the patient, the partner, and the relationship. Therefore, dealing with the stress of the disease together as a couple—so-called dyadic coping—is important for coping with the disease and strengthening the “we-feeling”, which, in turn, contributes to greater satisfaction in the partnership and a greater sense of cohesion. The inclusion of partners and the consideration of partnership aspects is therefore also very useful for clinical care.