Psychological adjustment: A promising approach in the treatment of women with breast cancer

Abstract

After cardiovascular diseases, cancer is the second leading cause of death in the world, affecting the lives of patients at all individual and social levels [1]. According to reports, every year 1.5 million people are diagnosed with breast cancer and 502,000 people die from this disease [2]. In case of survival, the complications of the disease and related treatments may greatly reduce the quality of life of affected people [3]. The diagnosis of breast cancer and its treatment is considered one of the basic crises in the lives of affected people and causes countless problems for affected women and their families [4]. Breast cancer, like any type of chronic and debilitating disease, endangers various aspects of health, both on the individual and social levels, and, like other chronic diseases, reduces individual performance and consequently quality of life [5]. The application of treatment measures such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy and the receipt of toxic drugs can have side effects and the patient experiences double problems, which can affect their quality of life [6]. Among the problems that usually affect the quality of life of cancer patients include physical problems such as pain and fatigue, psychological and mental effects caused by the disease such as depression, as well as the effects of the disease on family, marital, social relationships, and economic problems caused by it is from illness [5]. Meanwhile, psychological adjustment as an influencing factor has a significant role in quality of life and more effective performance among cancer survivors [7].