Do breast cancer patients need psychotherapy?

  The incidence of breast cancer is increasing and now ranks as the first malignant tumor among urban women, and the age of onset is getting younger and younger. Breast cancer patients are often faced with the problem of mastectomy, which can cause certain physical and psychological damage to patients. Mastectomy makes breast cancer patients feel that they are no longer perfect and the physical mutilation affects their psychological well-being.  Especially for women, mastectomy destroys the overall beauty and charm of a woman. They value their breasts more than other organs of their body, and some even say, “I would rather have my arms and legs missing than have my breasts removed.” Some patients feel inferior, thinking that they are no longer women and can no longer hold their heads up as human beings. Other patients will be completely classified as patients after cancer, no longer exercising the normal functions of human beings, henceforth “leaving” the normal life forever, depressed, depressed and waiting for death …… Some breast cancer patients also need to face chemotherapy and radiotherapy and their side effects. Some breast cancer patients also have to face the side effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy, damage to liver, kidney, hematopoietic function, etc., hair loss, protein loss, weakened body function, and even the threat of death. Cancer can cause depression and anxiety, cognitive changes, changes in life status, and fear of death, all of which will haunt the patient at all times. Therefore, breast cancer patients will have psychological problems in different stages and in different degrees. Which breast cancer patients need psychological intervention or treatment? What is the significance of psychological intervention or treatment?  Patients with the following conditions need psychological treatment: 1. Anxiety and depression about cancer and its treatment. 2.  2.Patients with vegetative or psychiatric symptoms, such as sleep disturbance, internal restlessness, difficulty in concentration, pain without physical cause, nausea, non-specific weakness and fatigue, especially during chemotherapy and radiotherapy.  3.Obvious underlying conflict or personality disorder after cancer.  4.Post-traumatic negative stress reactions, such as anger, fear, and disappointment.  5.Conflicts and problems in spousal relationships, family members and other social relationships.  The purpose of psychological intervention is to support and improve the quality of life in coping with illness. Specific implications: 1. Reduce emotional symptoms such as anxiety and depression.  2. Supporting patients to verbalize stressful emotions such as anger, fear, and disappointment.  3. Learning behavioral skills in coping with the illness.  4. Learning to live a normal life again.  5. Reduce emotional stress in family or partner relationships.  6. Release the taboo of discussing death.  7. Learn relaxation techniques to reduce physical symptoms such as insomnia, pain and nausea.