Psychosocial aspects of breast cancer in Iranian women

The prevalence of breast cancer in younger women is increasing in Iran. According to studies its survival is better than other kind of cancer, so that the quality of life of patients is an important issue for health care providers. In this article, qualitative and quantitative studies done on psychosocial aspects of breast cancer in Iranian women have been examined through a systematic search of online databases. In qualitative studies themes like responsibility of woman at home after the disease, responsibility insociety, aesthetic issues, hiding the disease from others, financial burden, support of family members, body image disturbance, threat for marital state, disturbances in family process, confrontation with an inefficient medical- care system and the role of religion were significant. In quantitative studies the amount of psychological problems and other variables like anxiety, depression, marital satisfaction, self efficacy, social support and spiritual health and the relationship of these variables with other demographiccharacteristics have been examined For a comprehensive holistic care it is needed to consider psychosocial aspects of breast cancer in patients and this can guide health care providers for planning a more need-based care plan. More individualized care plans lead to increase quality of life of this population