Psycho-social interventions in oncology: counselling services for women with breast cancer

Whatley P, Milne R
Record ID 31998009120
English
Authors' objectives:

To provide an overview of the value of counselling services for women with breast cancer.

Authors' results and conclusions: Overall, the studies showed that women with breast cancer derived benefit from the therapeutic intervention in terms of measures of emotional adjustment (depression, anxiety, locus of control) as well as of general quality of life. These benefits lasted throughout the follow-up period, although one study found no significant effects beyond three months. Evidence for functional adjustment and on somatic symptoms was equivocal. Although the studies showed that counselling is effective, they do not provide a prescriptive model for service delivery: for instance, where counselling should be provided or by whom.
Authors' recommendations: There is good evidence from trials that counselling helps women with breast cancer in terms of psychological adjustment in the months after diagnosis. The Committee noted that it was not currently possible to model the value for money of this in terms of cost per QALY. In addition, it was not possible to be prescriptive about precisely how the service should be provided, by whom, or in what setting.
Authors' methods: Review
Details
Project Status: Completed
URL for project: http://www.wihrd.soton.ac.uk
Year Published: 1998
English language abstract: An English language summary is available
Publication Type: Not Assigned
Country: England
MeSH Terms
  • Costs and Cost Analysis
  • Counseling
  • Breast Neoplasms
Contact
Organisation Name: Wessex Institute for Health Research and Development
Contact Address: Pauline King. Wessex Institute for Health Research and Development, Boldrewood Medical School, Bassett Crescent East, Highfield, Southampton. SO16 7PX Tel. +44 1703 595661 Fax +44 1703 595662
Copyright: Wessex Institute for Health Research and Development (WIHRD)
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