Psychosocial needs of breast cancer patients and their relatives

Diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer may cause physical, psychological and social problems which may influence the patients' and their relatives' needs. This dissertation consists of three quantitative studies on the psychosocial needs of patients and relatives during and after the patients treatment. The patients had unmet psychological needs whereas relatives needed help with access to information and health care professionals. Physical and social impairment, an impaired body image, distress, anxiety, a lack of support and conflicts in their interpersonal relationships were associated with the patients unmet needs. Distress, anxiety and conflicts in the relationships were associated with the relatives' unmet needs. These factors may help to identify patients with a higher need for help and to conduct target support to those who actually need it.