Table 7 Summary of the gap analysis for the psychosocial aspects of breast cancer
From: Evaluation of the current knowledge limitations in breast cancer research: a gap analysis
| What do we know? | There are psychosocial effects of genetic testing, prophylactic mastectomy and breast screening. |
| Descriptive studies of the experiences of breast cancer patients using quantitative and qualitative methods show women still experience psychosocial distress despite improvements in treatment and prognosis. | |
| Psychosocial interventions have been shown to benefit women, including those identified as experiencing high levels of distress. | |
| What are the gaps? | Evaluation of decision aids for risk management and the choice of preventative surgery amongst high-risk women. |
| Ways of effectively communicating information and aiding patient treatment decision-making. | |
| Defining patient experiences in early, chronic and end stage breast cancer. | |
| Limited research into co-morbidities amongst breast cancer patients. | |
| Experiences of ethnic minority populations and older women. | |
| The need to develop and evaluate appropriate psychosocial interventions for high-risk women and those diagnosed as having breast cancer. | |
| Use of psychological theories in behaviour change that could enhance compliance to lifestyle and chemoprevention trials. | |
| Problems | The need for the long-term follow-up in psychosocial research. |
| Barriers to the uptake of research findings. | |
| Translational implications | Direct improvement in the experience of patients, their families and those at increased risk. |
| Recommendations | Develop and rigorously evaluate appropriate psychosocial interventions. |
| Encourage cross-speciality collaboration to incorporate psychosocial issues and psychological theory (for example, psychological theories in relation to behaviour change are relevant to those researching prevention with diet and exercise or chemoprevention). | |
| Ensure research gives greater attention to all stages of breast cancer and that the needs of older women and those from a range of ethnic groups are included. |