Integration of psychological management strategies in the treatment course of breast carcinoma

: The integration of psychological counselling programmes into the treatment procedures of breast cancer has to overcome specific methodological and contextual difficulties. We present a counselling strategy for breast cancer patients which aims at a reduction of short-term sequelae of the crisis of cancer diagnosis and stress of therapy. Its main features, summarized as follows are based on the relevant literature and the results of a pilot study in our department. Counselling is offered and made available to all patients, since both self- and professional referral lead to a selection bias. Psychological counselling is considered as integral part of the entire diagnostic and therapeutic process. The psychologist acts as a continuous supportive partner at all relevant treatment stages, and is introduced to the patient at the outset of the therapy and is always available as familiar contact person for discussion of all problems. Intensity and structure of counselling closely follow the different stages of somatic treatment. Technically, elements of crisis intervention and Progressive Muscular Relaxation (PME, according to Jacobson) are applied. Aspects of patient/doctor relationship and interdisciplinary cooperation between physicians and psychologists are discussed.