Psychosocial factors associated with setf-care in the prevention, treatment and aftercare of breast cancer

Abstract

This paper discusses psychosocial factors which influence self-care in breast cancer patients during prevention, treatment and after-treatment phases. Self-care is defined as the set of activities that a patient consciously develops to look after her life, health and well-being, an it must be supported all over the different stages of the disease. Three different theoretical models are presented – Health Beliefs Model, Theory of Reasoned Action and Self-regulation Model – that try to understand how and why people practice self-care in chronic conditions and in breast cancer. Finally, the paper reflects upon the importance of women’s strength of spirit, of family relations and psychological interventions to improve self-care in the different phases of the disease