A prospective study of the relationship between breast cancer and life events, type A behaviour, social support and coping skills

Two thousand one hundred and sixty‐three women completed an extensive set of psychosocial measures prior to a breast examination. These women were subsequently diagnosed as having cancer, a cyst, benign breast disease or normal breasts. It was found that the cancer group had experienced significantly more loss‐ or illness‐related events, perceived life events generally as more stressful, used fewer and poorer coping skills and were significantly lower on type A behaviour.