Affective reactions to breast cancer diagnosis among Arab women

The psychiatric profiles of 40 women with early breast cancer (experimental sample) and a control sample of 40 women with other medical conditions (medical sample) were examined over a 6-month period. The breast cancer patients had a significantly higher affective reaction than patients with other medical conditions, They were also considerably less likely to have received adequate information about their illness. The underlying sociocultural factors are discussed, Means to promote communication between physicians and cancer sufferers are suggested, The need for an oncology liaison psychiatric service is emphasized.