Advancing psychosocial care in cancer patients (original) (raw)
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Epidemiology and Psychiatric Sciences, 2020
With cancer incidence increasing over time worldwide, attention to the burden of psychiatric and psychosocial consequences of the disease is now mandatory for both cancer and mental health care professionals. Psychiatric disorders have been shown to affect at least 30–35% of cancer patients during all phases of the disease trajectory, and differ in nature according to stage and type of cancer. Other clinically relevant distressing psychosocial and existential conditions (e.g. demoralisation, health anxiety, loss of meaning and existential distress) not included as ‘disorders’ in the usual diagnostic and nosological systems (i.e. meta-diagnostic conditions) have also been shown to be present in another 15–20% of cancer patients. In this editorial, we will present a summary of the extensive literature regarding the epidemiology of the several psychosocial disorders affecting cancer patients as a cause of distress and burden to be taken into consideration and addressed in cancer care t...
Psychological interventions for distress in cancer patients: a review of reviews
Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 2006
We review a decade of review articles concerning psychosocial interventions for cancer patients. We find a distinct progression in the tone of interpretations of the literature, as better quality studies accumulate and the sophistication of reviews improves. The current literature does not make a compelling case for the value of these interventions for the typical cancer patient. The bulk of the literature reviews in this field take a narrative rather than a systematic approach, and serious compromises in standards are necessary to muster an adequate set of studies for review. The more rigorous the review, the less likely it is to conclude there is evidence that psychological interventions are effective.
Current Psychiatry Reports, 2011
Psychosocial care for cancer patients historically has been overlooked as an aspect of quality clinical care. However, several organizations have recently made strong recommendations for inclusion of psychosocial care across the continuum of treatment, from diagnosis, through treatment, into survivorship, and in the palliative stages of care. The evidence base for screening, diagnosis, and effective treatment of psychosocial issues in the context of cancer care is growing. Recent highly relevant research covering major topics in psycho-oncology, including distress, delivery of care, psychoneuroimmunology, and cognitive deficits related to cancer, is reviewed in this article.
Psychosocial care for cancer patients - too little, too late?
Annals of the Academy of Medicine, Singapore, 2013
Assessment of psychosocial and psychiatric needs is an increasingly important component of cancer care. Clinical experience with patients indicate that distress, anxiety and depression are prevalent from early stages of the illness. Strategies to enhance psychosocial care are presented and these include early identification through screening, training for healthcare staff working with cancer patients and support not only for patients but their caregivers as well.
The burden of psychosocial morbidity related to cancer: patient and family issues
International review of psychiatry (Abingdon, England), 2017
With cancer incidence increasing over time, attention to the burden of related psychiatric and psychosocial consequences of the disease and treatment is a major topic for both cancer patients and their caregivers. Among cancer patients, psychiatric (e.g. adjustment, anxiety, depressive disorders) and neuropsychiatric disorders (e.g. cognitive disorders secondary to treatment, delirium) have been shown to affect an average of 30-35% patients, with differences according to stage and type of cancer. Also other psychosocial syndromes (e.g. demoralization, health anxiety, irritable mood) not taken into account in usual nosological systems should be considered for their impact on the patient's quality-of-life. Also, it has been repeatedly reported that psychological distress reverberates substantially throughout the nuclear family, and that a family approach is necessary in cancer care, with the caregiver-patient dyad as a unit to be the focus and direction of assessment and intervent...
Psychiatric Morbidity and psychotherapeutic interventions in cancer survivors
With ever increasing number of cancer patients and modalities of treatment for them, a novel population is fast increasing. This is the population of cancer survivors, with its own specific set of psychological problems. This review tends to explore in detail, psychiatric morbidity amongst this population and its impact on their lives. Subsequent to this, various psychotherapeutic interventions for this population are discussed systematically, ranging from 'Educational' to 'Mind-Body-Spiritual' interventions and the current evidence for their efficacy is reviewed. Finally, overall efficacy of these interventions in the lives of cancer survivors and their place in their treatment plan is discussed.
Distress and Depression in Cancer Care
Psychosomatic Medicine: An Introduction to Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry, 2010
There are barriers to the identification of depression in the cancer patient, including: a) normalizing what would otherwise be considered pathological mood symptoms to the circumstances, as in “Well, it’s normal to be depressed when you have cancer,” or b) denying that depression is present due to an implicit and overvalued prescription to remain upbeat, as in “Try to stay positive, or you’ll never be able to beat this cancer,” or c) misattributing symptoms of depression to the physical impact of cancer or cancer therapies. Exactly because of the high risk of depression and such barriers to identification is there a need for screening and education of patients, families, and clinicians about the risk of depression, followed by appropriate psychosocial interventions. Tansey, Janeta & Greenberg, Donna. (2010). Distress and depression in cancer care. Psychosomatic Medicine: An Introduction to Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry. 143-152. 10.1017/CBO9780511776878.017.