Psychological support for patients undergoing breast cancer surgery: a randomised study

272 women aged less than 70 years undergoing surgery for breast cancer

Routine care plus support from a specialist breast care nurse

Routine care from ward staff, routine care plus support from voluntary organisation, or routine care plus support from nurse and organisation

Prevalence of psychological morbidity as assessed by self rating scales (28 item general health questionnaire and its subscales, and hospital anxiety and depression scale) at first postoperative clinic visit and at 3, 6, and 12 months after surgerypatient reported