Impact of social support on lives of Chinese women with breast cancer: Commentary on key issues.

Abstract

Breast cancer is the most common illness in women. The incidence of breast cancer grows each year . The impact of breast cancer on women can be huge in terms of fear of diagnosis and radical treatment, and issues such as relations with spouse , , potential change in perception of body image and relations with spouse, and family, such as feeling unsupported and alone. In Chinese families reaction to diagnosis can be negative . such reactions can leave women feeling supported with few social networks available to them. Women with breast cancer need social support networks that provide guidance , emotional support and the comfort of other women. Social support can also be educational that focuses on the wellbeing of women.