Psychosocial aspects of neoplastic disease: I. Functional status of breast cancer patients during different treatment regimens

The authors studied 146 breast cancer patients representing three different treatment regimens by means of a structured interview, open- ended questions, and a modified Psychiatric Status Schedule. The major findings indicated that physical disability did not necessarily relate to an increase in emotional disturbance. The most emotionally disturbing time was the first recurrence of the breast cancer, and the most common disturbance reported in all three treatment groups was in the area of mate role functioning. In addition, adjuvant radiation therapy was a potent source of distress during primary cancer treatment, and at least one-third of all patients in each category reported needing help with household chores.