Resumo

GARCIA-VINIEGRAS, Carmen Regina Victoria  e  GONZALEZ BLANCO, Maritza. Psychological wellbeing and breast cancer. Av. Psicol. Latinoam. [online]. 2007, vol.25, n.1, pp. 72-80. ISSN 1794-4724.

Psychological aspects such as coping styles, worries, disease perception and psychological consequences of treatment in women with breast cancer are discussed in this article. Self-confidence, emotional stability, hardiness, positive affects, self-esteem, as well as successful coping with stress, particularly with disease stress, changes in life style, and personality factors which may explain psychological wellbeing, are analyzed. In such analysis, it is taken into account some demographic and social variables, as well as medical issues, which influences breast cancer patient’s quality of life and wellbeing. Importance of health policies, including psychological elements, in order to improve psychological wellbeing in these women is remarked.

Palavras-chave : psychological wellbeing; breast cancer; quality of life; psycho-social factors.