A presurgical psychosocial intervention for breast cancer patients. psychological distress and the immune response

Abstract

Objective: The present study evaluated the feasibility and potential immunological benefit of a presurgical intervention for breast cancer patients.

Methods: Forty-one newly diagnosed breast cancer patients were randomized into control (standard care) and intervention groups. In addition to standard care, intervention group members received a two-session psychosocial intervention. Blood was drawn at three timepoints: (1) at preintervention; (2) at postintervention/presurgery; and (3) at postsurgery.

Results: Examination of the immunological data revealed evidence of suppression of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) in the control group over time, but not in the intervention group. Secondary findings related to psychological assessment generally paralleled the IFN-gamma results.

Conclusion: The relevance and applicability of these findings to future breast cancer intervention research is detailed.