Psychological effects of breast cancer in women and their families: A systematic review

Abstract

Introduction: Breast cancer may have a significant impact on the psychosocial well-being, not only of the women diagnosed, but also on their family members. Aim: The purpose of this review and narrative synthesis is to investigate the affect of breast cancer on women and their family. Methods: The electronic databases Scopus, Psycinfo, Science Direct and Pubmed were searched during the period 2010-2020. We followed the PRISMA guidelines and the PICO framework with Boolean operators. Of the 1126 articles identified, only 35 were used in the final configuration of the systematic review, based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria that were set. Results: The 35 articles that were finally included in this review focused mainly on the relationship of women with breast cancer with their family. More specifically, family seems to play a significant role for women with breast cancer. Dynamics and roles among the family members are affected and burdened because of the disease. Family caregivers provide support to women with breast cancer, and patients receiving family care seem to respond more effectively to their treatment and manage to cope with their illness. Both breast cancer patients and family caregivers seek psychosocial support. Breast cancer can also have a detrimental effect on their family caregivers, their partners and the extended family. Conclusion: A supportive family may a have a positive impact on patients’ psychosocial wellbeing. Providing psychosocial support to both patients and family members may significantly improve the quality of life for the whole family.