Abstract

REICH, Micaela  and  REMOR, Eduardo. PSYCHOSOCIAL VARIABLES ASSOCIATED WITH HEALTH RELATED QUALITY OF LIFE IN WOMEN WITH BREAST CANCER POST-SURGERY: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW. Cienc. Psicol. [online]. 2010, vol.4, n.2, pp.179-223. ISSN 1688-4221.

Breast cancer is a malignant tumor that starts from cells of the breast. A malignant tumor is a group of cancer cells that develops, invading surrounding tissue, or expands as metastases towards remote areas of the body (American Cancer Society, 2009). The aim of the present study of systematic literature review was to identify among existing scientific bibliography, papers studying the effect of psychosocial factors (such as coping strategies or depressive symptomatology, which psychosocial interventions could improve) on HRQL outcomes in post-surgery women with breast cancer. The review portrayed several limitations in research, providing suggestions for future studies. The studies were organized bearing the following criteria in mind: either by the variables of interest included on their titles, or else by the expressed aim of associating any of the variables to HRQL.We describe for each study revised and included: its participants, main procedures, and most apparent results. Implications are discussed facing future prospects of psychosocial interventions. The findings of the present review suggest that women with breast cancer are vulnerable while their HRQL may be affected, they could suffer psychological distress, and/or develop depressive symptoms. Certain coping styles, as well as specific sociodemographic, clinical, and psychosocial factors are associated to a better adjustment to the desease

Keywords : Breast Cancer; Systematic Literature Review; Literature Review; Health Related Quality of life; Coping Strategies; Distress; Depressive Symptoms.

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