Changing Paradigms: Depressed Patients as Treatment Partners

Letter to the Editor

Sir: Not long ago, I was diagnosed with invasive breast cancer. I had none of the risk factors, yet, there I was, 46 years old, wife and mother of 3 children, learning that my life was about to change. Decisions, treatment, recovery, and the concern about metastasis or recurrence were issues that had to be addressed, some of them very quickly. Within about a week of my diagnosis and visits to the surgeon, internist, radiation oncologist, and medical oncologist, I had more information about my cancer and its potential treatment than I could absorb. An expandable 4-inch folder was filled with handouts, brochures, booklets, and reference lists. In addition, I had been shown 2 videotapes and completed 1 CD-ROM interactive learning session.