Psycho-Oncology in Breast Cancer: Supporting Women Through Distress, Treatment, and Recovery—Three Arguments—Rapid Narrative Review

Background and Objectives: Breast cancer remains one of the most prevalent malignancies affecting women and one of the most emotionally distressing diagnoses. Emerging evidence suggests that chronic psychological stress may influence cancer progression via neuroendocrine and immune mechanisms. This rapid narrative review explores three key arguments for integrating psycho-oncologists into the multidisciplinary care of breast cancer patients: (1) early detection and reduction of psychological distress, (2) improvement of treatment adherence, and (3) enhancement of quality of life through personalized psychological interventions. Materials and Methods: The review was conducted through comprehensive searches in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science for peer-reviewed articles published between 2010 and 2025. Inclusion criteria comprised randomized controlled trials, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and theoretical papers. Of 246 identified articles, 50 met the inclusion criteria. Results: Selected studies show that psycho-oncological interventions—including cognitive–behavioral therapy, mindfulness-based techniques, narrative therapy, and guided imagery—significantly reduce anxiety, depression, and fear of recurrence. These approaches improve adherence to endocrine therapy and chemotherapy, enhance emotional resilience, and promote overall well-being. Also, recent research concepts emphasize the role of psycho-oncologists in encouraging post-traumatic growth and helping patients redefine cancer as an opportunity for transformation. Conclusions: Integrating psycho-oncologists into standard breast cancer care improves psychological and clinical outcomes. By addressing emotional distress, strengthening coping mechanisms, and supporting existential resilience, psycho-oncologists contribute to a holistic, patient-centered model of oncology care. Wider implementation of psycho-oncological services is warranted as a core component of comprehensive cancer management.