Work

Behavioral Symptoms after Breast Cancer Treatment: A Biobehavioral Approach

Year: 2015

Type: review

Abstract: Being diagnosed and treated for breast cancer is emotionally and physically challenging. Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer and the second leading cause of death for women in the United States. Accordingly, women with a breast cancer history are the largest group of female cancer survivors. Psychological stress substantially augments adverse autonomic, endocrine, and immune discharge, including enhanced production of proinflammatory cytokines. Importantly, inflammation is a key biological mechanism underlying the symptom cluster of pain, depression, fatigue, and sleep disturbances; there is also good evidence that inflammation contributes to breast cancer recurrence. Stress may exert direct effects on psychological and physiological risk processes. In this review, we take a biobehavioral approach to understanding predictors and mechanisms underlying somatic symptoms in breast cancer survivors.

Source: Journal of Personalized Medicine

DOI: 10.3390/jpm5030280

Authors: Christopher Fagundes, Angie LeRoy, Maryanne Karuga

Institutions: The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Rice University, University of Houston, Dillard University

Language: English

Topic: Cancer survivorship and care

Subfield: Oncology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,137