SPECIFIC PSYCHOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF CANCER IN WOMEN ASPECTOS PSICOLÓGICOS ESPECÍFICOS DEL CÁNCER EN LAS MUJERES

The differences in the psychosocial aspects of different types of cancer in men and women are mainly based on gender variables. However, the specific way in which gender influences adaptation to cancer is not completely defined and it has also been very poorly studied. Gender differences are not only evident in the physical impact of cancer, but also in quality of life, in the psychosocial differences, in the confronting styles and in the adaptation of the patient's partners to the process of the disease. It is necessary to identify women's specific psychosocial needs in more detail in order to be able to develop specific programs which keep in mind the gender differences in the way oncologic disease is confronted, as well as in the process of making clinical decisions and in the variables required to optimise their quality of life.