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Supportive group therapy does not prolong the life of women with advanced breast cancer but it can improve their mood and coping skills. This was the conclusion of a study of 235 women, 158 of whom participated in supportive group therapy and 77 of whom did not.

Few significant differences were found between breast cancer patients treated with high dose chemotherapy and peripheral stem cell transfusion compared to those treated with conventional chemotherapy in relation to health-related quality of life, sexual psychology, and body image. Both treatment groups exhibited some significant effects on psychological aspects of sexuality and body image. Loss of sexual interest appeared to be a prominent concern. The survey involved 38 patients, 19 in each treatment group., As survival has improved in patients with metastatic breast cancer, quality of life issues have become more important in clinical and research assessment of treatment. We examined psychological aspects of sexuality, body image and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in 19 patients who had completed high dose chemotherapy and peripheral stem cell transfusion (HDC/PBSCT), and in 19 who had undergone conventional chemotherapy (CC). There were no differences in mean age, time since treatment or demographic variables except education level. We found no significant differences in HRQOL (Functional Living Index-Cancer) nor on the Body Image Scale. On a measure of sexual fears, 74% of the HDC/PBSCT patients and 63% of the CC patients thought that cancer would make them unattractive to their mates. As well, 68% of the HDC/PBSCT patients and 37% of the CC women were fearful of sex being painful as a result of their cancer (p [is less than] 0. 01). Sixty eight percent of HDC/PBSCT women and 47% of CCs had change in level of sexual desire since treatment following their diagnosis of metastatic disease. Eighty-five per cent of HDC/PBSCT and all CC women experienced this as decreased desire. We found few significant differences between the groups, but there were noteworthy effects on body image and psychological aspects of sexuality with both treatments., Key words. Breast cancer Sexuality Body image Health-related quality of life INTRODUCTION Breast cancer is the most common malignancy in women, responsible for 27% of malignant tumours and 20% of [...]

Focus groups of past program participants were conducted to explore the impact of a novel residential psychosocial intervention for cancer patients. All participants had attended the program between 6 months and 1 year prior to the study. The intention was to elicit a broad range of feedback regarding the program's effects on people living with cancer. Of particular interest was the assessment of lasting outcomes for participants, and possibilities for program improvement. This article reports the substantive understanding resulting from these focus groups, and discusses the beneficial impact, effective program characteristics, and controversial issues of residential psychosocial programming. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Describes the provision and preliminary evaluation of a psychosocial service delivery and residential treatment program called Tapestry, which is run under the aegis of the cancer care community in Alberta. Offer of a way to provide psychosocial support for persons living with cancer; Provision of retreats to address the isolation and other existential issues arising from a cancer diagnosis.