Group-therapy of couples after breast cancer diagnosis: experimental pilot study.

Cancer is a family affair. Clinical work and research studies have shown that cancer affects the entire family and that spouses especially are often highly distressed. Breast cancer has a special importance for a couple. It is convenient to help the patient and her husband together. In the first six months especially psychooncological intervention seems to be necessary. Psychotherapy of groups of couples has shown benefits in their improved ability to talk to one another, especially using social learning by a model (e.g. A. Bandura et al). Less helplessness and more acceptance of support from outside are further effects. Moreover, this form of intervention has economic benefits due to the amount of time needed and reduced costs in comparison with individual therapy.