Impact of social support on lives of Chinese women with breast cancer: Commentary on key issues.

Breast cancer is the most common illness in women. The incidence of breast cancer in women grows each year. The impact of breast cancer on women can be huge in terms of its the fear of diagnosis and radical treatment, issues of potential change in perception of body image, and relations with spouse and family. Such relations can become impaired and tense. In cases where families hold negative reactions to a diagnosis, women can feel unsupported and alone. In Chinese families, reaction to breast cancer can be negative. Such reactions can leave women feeling tense, worried and unsupported with few social networks available to them. Women with breast cancer need social support systems/ networks that provide guidance, emotional support sympathy, support and the comfort of other women. Social support can also be educational that focuses in the wellbeing of women.