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Practice Point
Psychosocial assessment – General
Pay attention to the emotional needs of the person diagnosed with breast cancer and undertake psychosocial screening as soon as possible after breast cancer diagnosis and at the commencement of any new treatment. Use a validated and reliable measure that features reportable scores that are clinically meaningful, with established cut-offs.
Psychological support should be available to all patients diagnosed with breast cancer (Level of evidence – high)
The desirable effects of an intervention clearly outweigh the undesirable effects (the intervention is to be put into practice), or the undesirable effects of an intervention clearly outweigh the desirable effects (the intervention is not to be put into practice)
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How this guidance was developed
This practice point was developed using an expert consensus process. A potentially relevant ‘strong’ (GRADE) source recommendation was identified from the KCE 2013 guidelines (Belgium) that recommended psychological support. However, this KCE recommendation was not adopted or adapted as it was considered too narrow in scope and did not account for the timing or approach to psychosocial screening.
Related guidance by topic
Psychosocial assessment – General
Practice Point
Pay attention to the emotional needs of the person diagnosed with breast cancer and undertake psychosocial screening as soon as possible after breast cancer diagnosis and at the commencement of any new treatment. Use a validated and reliable measure that features reportable scores that are clinically meaningful, with established cut-offs.
Principles in action
Patient-centred care
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Supportive care
Useful Links
This practice point was developed using an expert consensus process. A potentially relevant ‘strong’ (GRADE) source recommendation was identified from the KCE 2013 guidelines (Belgium) that recommended psychological support. However, this KCE recommendation was not adopted or adapted as it was considered too narrow in scope and did not account for the timing or approach to psychosocial screening.
Related guidance by topic
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