Nurses' perceptions of early breast cancer and mastectomy, and their psychological implications, and of the role of health professionals in providing support.

The literature on the psychological precursors and outcomes of cancer and the role of the surgeon and nurse in the psychological management of early breast cancer, is briefly reviewed. A questionnaire study tapped nurses' perceptions of the disease and its treatment, patients' problems and the provision of psychological support. Their responses indicated mixed attitudes toward treatment outcomes, but a general enthusiasm for health education. Mastectomy itself was seen as posing serious social problems by half the sample, and serious sexual problems by more than three-quarters, and many felt that the support currently provided for patients is inadequate. While nurses saw themselves as having a key role in giving comfort, they were less likely to see themselves in the role of counsellor. Many of the sample felt that they had not been trained to provide psychological care at this level. Here, the skills of a specialist nurse were looked for, in the case of counselling the patient herself, or the authority of the doctor, when counselling husbands.