The Psychological Treatment of Couples Confronting Breast Cancer

Numerous findings have suggested that psychosocial factors such as social support marital satisfaction and coping styles influence the survival rate of those afflicted with breast cancer. In addition the husband's role has been found to play an especially important role in diminishing the breast cancer patient's stress as well as prolonging her life expectancy. For the couple confronting this illness the husband plays a pivotal role in assisting his wife cope with the illness communicate with friends family and medical professionals and providing support throughout the various facets of treatment. It is unfortunate however that few husbands understand their own importance in dealing effectively with breast cancer. In this book both husbands and wives will learn the positive and negative implications of their own communication and coping strategies. Furthermore an intervention based on empirical literature is proposed to implement in treatment. Finally considerations for future research including diversity issues and the impact those issues present in the psychological adjustment to breast cancer are discussed