Breast cancer and emotional issues: The role of Psychology at the beginning, during, and after treatment

Abstract

Breast cancer represents the malignant neoplasm with the highest incidence among Brazilian women, accounting for approximately one-third of female diagnoses. In addition to its physical impact, the disease produces profound emotional repercussions throughout the entire therapeutic trajectory. At diagnosis, shock, fear, and anxiety predominate; during treatment, concerns related to body image, femininity, sexuality, and social support intensify; and in the post-treatment phase, fear of recurrence and social reintegration become central challenges. This theoretical article analyzes, in light of the scientific
literature, the psychosocial effects of breast cancer in the different phases of the disease. It is concluded that Psychology plays a fundamental role in the emotional processing of these experiences, offering individual and group clinical interventions and coping strategies.