Published online by Cambridge University Press: 13 June 2014
The paper makes a chronological review of the literature in the area of psychological intervention with cancer patients, focussing particularly on breast cancer as this is the disease which has attracted most attention from mental health profesionals. Initially, surveys which identify psychological distress in cancer patients are reviewed, as it is felt that these may have contributed the impetus for intervention. In the second half of the paper, interventions are classified and reviewed.