Women in the menopausal period, when many psychological and physical changes take place, are most often affected. The news of cancer evokes strong negative emotional reactions, e.g. fear, a sense of threat and anxiety.

The woman loses her sense of physical attractiveness and self-esteem, loses emotional stability and partner relationships are disrupted. The consequences of the disease are felt on a biological, psychological and social level. Such destabilisation can eventually lead to depression.

The patient's sense of powerlessness in the face of the cancer is compounded by the debilitation caused by the treatment and its side effects, uncertainty about the future, lack of control over her life, little knowledge of the disease and how to treat it. The woman usually withdraws from her professional and social life and gives up her roles. Such a woman has a sense of loneliness, caused by isolation from her surroundings and family.

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Often the sick woman feels that those around her are turning away from her, and in fact it is the sick woman who is avoiding social contact. Cancer treatment has many negative physical and psychological effects. It is a source of much anxiety, through loss of physical attractiveness, increased susceptibility to stress and psychological disorders (e.g. the occurrence of depression). The fear of not being accepted by the environment increases.