Effect of Psychosocial Intervention in Women Following Breast Cancer Diagnosis.
Abstract
The American Cancer Society has estimated that 180,000 women in the United States are newly diagnosed with breast cancer each year. Virmally all of these women are treated surgically, with most requiring additional surgery following biopsy. The average length of time between diagnosis and surgery at our institution is approximately one month. This one month interval prior to surgery is characterized by extreme distress. Psychological and immunological function may be compromised. The central technical objective of this proposal is to determine whether a multimodal psychosocial intervention provided during the presurgery interval affects immune and psychological function. The intervention focuses on stress management techniques, education, problem solving techniques to increase coping skills, and group support. We hypothesize that women who receive the structured intervention will have enhanced natural killer (NK) cell cytotoxicity and interleukin (IL) -2 and interferon (IFN)-y production immediately prior to and following surgery, in comparison to women who do not receive intervention. Enhanced NK cell function and cytokine production in patients undergoing surgery are of significance because of their critical roles in decreasing morbidity and mortality, chiefly by controlling infection and development of metastases.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 1997
- Accession Number
- ADA332284
Entities
People
- Jan A. Moynihan
Organizations
- University of Rochester