Depression Reduced in Breast Cancer Fear Group

Depression Reduced in Breast Cancer Fear Group
The American Journal of Psychiatry* has reported that a group of women seemingly at high risk of breast cancer because of inherited characteristics, had their anxieties and depression reduced by group intervention. The women received six sessions of two hours each of education and counseling.

This is important, since reducing fearful women's anxieties may reduce the use of pre-emptive breast removal as an attempt to prevent the disease. Breast removal could be considered a rather draconian solution when less severe prevention methods are available, and when the risk of breast cancer may not be as great as perceived. Further, reduction of anxiety itself may be helpful in preventing the cancers.

NOTE: The comments are ours, not the Journal's.
*By the Dept. of Psychiatry, UCLA School of Med., CA 90024 Oct., 1999.

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