A review of psychological impact of breast cancer in women below 50 years old

Health Care Women Int. 2021 Sep;42(7-9):1066-1085. doi: 10.1080/07399332.2021.1901901. Epub 2021 Aug 6.

Abstract

A breast cancer diagnosis is a critical event with a potentially traumatic nature. In recent years there has been an increase of this illness in women aged under-fifty, a group of particular scientific interest. In this article the authors review the recent scientific literature on psychological impact of breast cancer experiences in under-50 women. Our results highlight three trajectories: clinical psychological risks; feminine-specific concerns; resources between individual and relational aspects. This overview illustrates the complexity of the effects of breast cancer in under-50women allowing to think about theoretical and psychosocial models to provide support for under-50 women during the illness experience.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adaptation, Psychological
  • Breast Neoplasms*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Stress, Psychological / epidemiology