The role of psychosocial research in understanding and improving the experience of breast cancer breast cancer risk

Many aspects of breast cancer afford an opportunity for fruitful involvement and investigation by psychosocial researchers and clinicians. Recognition of the psychosocial challenges faced by cancer patients and the emergence of the field of psychosocial oncology have provided roles for social scientists and other behavioral researchers to apply their skills to address important issues. These issues include facilitating treatment decision-making, alleviating treatment side effects, and providing evidence supporting or refuting popular beliefs regarding factors that influence cancer progression, such as an intrepid attitude toward the disease. In this chapter, we highlight important examples of psychosocial research, conducted in the laboratory and in naturalistic settings, that have contributed to an improved understanding of the experience of breast cancer and breast cancer risk. This knowledge empirically informs the development of educational materials, tools to assist in treatment decision-making, and interventions for individuals coping with breast cancer.