Psychoanalytical Explorations of Emotional Correlates of Cancer of the Breast

Abstract

The personality development and psychotherapy of 5 women with cancer of the breast are briefly presented. Special emphasis is placed upon understanding the emotional situation prior to the clinical manifestation of cancer in terms of its disruptive effect on the pre-existing neurotic structure. It is suggested that depressive reactions have an important effect through decreasing host resistance. We further speculate that carcinogenical trends can possibly be increased and/or reflected by the particular sexual malfunctionings described or by disturbances in the maternal drive. The psychological factors can only be viewed in combination with the multiple organic and environmental factors which are a part of the multicausal process of cancer.