Group psychotherapy for women with breast cancer

Breast cancer compels our attention. It is highly prevalent, representing 30% of all new cancer cases in North American women, and it is the second leading cause of death of women in North America. Breast cancer carries a one in nine lifetime risk for Caucasian North American women. It has a complex trajectory of points for intervention, including: genetic and familial predisposition; primary cancer/long-term survivorship; and, recurrent or metastatic disease. It is an illness in which every form of anti-cancer treatment is applied - surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, hormone therapy, with the promise of newly developing immunological interventions. The breast is also the cultural focus of much attention and emotion as a symbol of femininity, attractiveness, sexuality, and procreation. This paper will address the application of the group psychotherapies to this range of clinical concern.