No wonder that if you hear the word cancer you get a chill . Surely you know someone close to you who is a victim of this disease, or you may even be suffering from it or have suffered from it in your own flesh; no one is immune to this disease that destroys lives in its wake.

According to data from the World Health Organization (WHO), it is one of the leading causes of death worldwide, and the numbers of deaths from this cause increase over the years.

That is why it is important to know the tools we have to face this reality. And, among these tools, is Psycho-Oncology, which I would like to talk to you about.

The Psychological Impact of Cancer

For cancer patients, the disease brings with it both physical and emotional and social difficulties . The high levels of depression, anxiety and distress that this pathology entails, make it necessary to recognise the role of psychological and emotional problems in cancer patients and their families.

Different studies show that between 30 and 50% of the people who suffer from the disease present some psychological alteration susceptible to psychological treatment, the most frequent being adaptation disorders, anxiety and depression. The family and the main carers of the sick person also show a high degree of suffering. The role of the family and their support in the face of cancer is of crucial importance for a good adaptation of the patient to the illness.

What is Psycho-Oncology?

The branch of psychology responsible for the intervention and counselling of both people affected by cancer and their families and carers, is known as Psycho-oncology .

This discipline provides important benefits to cancer patients and their families: provides emotional support, reduces the impact that the disease generates on the affected person and his/her environment, provides coping skills, management and adaptation to the disease, helps to understand the disease by facilitating medical adherence, and improves communication with the medical team.

In short, Psycho-oncology aims to promote the quality of life of the patient and his or her relatives in the different phases of the oncological disease.

Psycho-oncology according to the phases of the illness

The intervention of the psychoncologist differs depending on the evolution of the cancer , since the psychological manifestations change depending on the stage of the disease in which the patient is, on his symptoms and on the treatments received.

It can intervene at different stages throughout the course of the disease.

1. Diagnostic phase

The response to receiving the diagnosis usually consists, after an initial moment of shock , of intense emotional responses that include sadness, anger, anxiety, feelings of helplessness, depression, etc. Therefore, the work of the psychologist aims to mitigate the emotional impact that a diagnosis of cancer triggers, to provide the patient and his/her family with emotional support and coping strategies to face the disease.

2. Treatment phase

Cancer treatments (surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy) are aggressive, painful, uncomfortable, and have multiple side effects. Therefore, psychological support, treatment to manage pain, and relief of emotional distress can help the patient adhere to medical treatment.

3. Referral phase

In this stage where the cancer has receded, the intervention of the psychoncologist is based on facilitating the expression of fears and concerns , both of the patient and of his/her relatives, due to the uncertainty and the threat of presenting the disease again. It is important for the psychologist to consolidate a close therapeutic bond, address emotional disturbances and provide the necessary psychological tools to be able to gradually return to normality.

4. Relapse phase

It is a stage of great impact because it triggers intense emotional reactions (anger, rage, aggression, despair, etc.). Intervention by Psycho-oncology during this period consists of addressing and treating the depressive and anxious states that may be generated in the patient and his/her family and working on adaptation to the new pathological state.

5. Terminal phase

Some of the emotions that often surface in this phase are denial, anger, depression, isolation, aggression and fear of death. The patient is provided with palliative care , that is, the patient’s healing is no longer possible and the aim is for the patient to receive the best care in his or her transition to death. To do this, it is necessary to attend to psychological difficulties, manage pain and physical symptoms, offer social, emotional and spiritual support and promote control strategies in the terminally ill patient.

6. Death

When death is imminent, the task arises of accompanying the patient in the process of dying and his family in the elaboration of the mourning, with the aim of preventing a pathological mourning . The psychoncologist must address the different emotions that the patient faces when faced with the proximity of death in order to channel his feelings, guide him to close his pending issues and accept his new reality.

7. Duel

The psychological treatment is aimed at helping the family and friends in the face of the loss of a loved one, accepting their absence, working through the emotions and the pain generated, in order to adapt to life without the deceased.

As we have seen, the work of the psychoncologist is of crucial importance in reducing the anxiety and depression that a high number of cancer patients and their families present, supporting them in all phases of the disease by achieving a better adjustment, and less suffering in this difficult battle against the disease.

Bibliographic references:

  • Almanza M. Holland J. Psycho-oncology, current status and future perspectives. National Cancer Institute: Vol.46 No. 3.
  • Die Trill, M. (2003). Psycho-oncology. Madrid. Ades Ediciones.
  • Hernandez, M. Cruzado J.A. and Arana, Z. (2007). Psychological problems in cancer patients: difficulties of detection and referral to the psycho-oncologist. Psicooncología, 4, 179-191.