Psychological Intervention and Breast Cancer

There are 4 million breast cancer survivors in the United States, making breast cancer one of the most common health issues affecting women. Given the significant psychosocial impact of breast cancer, the purpose of the present review is to recognize common psychological issues and evidenced based psychological treatments, while reviewing the impact of treatments on quality of life and cancer outcomes.

Common psychological concerns include adjustment disorder, depression, and anxiety. and treatments such as cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness-based interventions, and meaning centered psychotherapy are effective.

Psychological interventions have been found to decrease distress and improve quality of life among breast cancer patients, while additionally increasing length of disease-free survival and decreasing rates of recurrence and mortality. More research is needed on the impact of psychological interventions on breast cancer outcomes, as well as with diverse populations and telehealth interventions.