This work investigated the provision of psychological assistance for women with breast cancer. The aims of this study were: 1. to examine the experience of the Psychological Support Group established in the Centro de Atenção Integral à Saúde da Mulher (CAISM), UNICAMP, Campinas, Brasil; and, 2. to analyse the dynamic aspects of one of these groups, as well as the psychological state of the patients involved. During the ses- sions, the patients complained considerably and demonstrated feelings of rejection and suspicion. Several ordinary, unconscious fantasies were identified, the basis ofwhich was a generalized fear of castration. The need to expose oneself was viewed as being full of risks and as a threat to further losses. This group psychological apprcach resulted in a do- se experience of the above feelings that allowed some of them to be dealt with.
Psychology; breast cancer; brief psychotherapy; group psychotherapy