Identifying and predicting distinct distress trajectories following a breast cancer diagnosis - from treatment into early survival

The majority of BC patients adjust well through a demanding treatment period. High patient-perceived burden from physical symptoms, and high coping self-efficacy is suggesting a transient, self-limiting distress trajectory, while patients experiencing constant 'chronic' distress, and those developing distress following treatment completion only cannot be identified by a single, initial assessment. Only systematic tracking with repeated measurement extending into survivorship can eliminate this problem. Interventions should aim at reducing the impact of symptom burden on women's every-day life and on strengthening coping-self efficacy.