Psychosocial support needs of women with breast cancer in the Waikato region of New Zealand

Abstract

Breast cancer (BC) is the most frequently diagnosed cancer among women and the third most common cancer in New Zealand (NZ), with more than 3000 registrations and 600 deaths annually.¹ While survival from BC in NZ is better than many other cancers, Māori women—the indigenous peoples of NZ—have a higher mortality rate than NZ European women.² Therefore, for many NZ women, a BC diagnosis still threatens possible mortality, and frequently results in significant psychosocial distress. Indeed, around 20% to 50% of women with BC will develop anxiety or depression within 1 year of diagnosis.³