This paper reviews the common psychological concerns expressed by women with breast cancer. It also reviews the epidemiology of psychiatric diagnoses in this population. Clinicians who take a psychiatric history should ask about suicidality & be aware that in cancer patients, not all suicidality occurs in the context of depression. The most common cause of suicidality in these patients is said to be unbearable pain. For others, their suicidality may be related to guilt feelings.