Psycho-oncology

What is Psycho-oncology?

Psycho-oncology is a field of expertise that addresses the psychological, emotional and social challenges faced by cancer patients and their families. Psycho-oncology aims to protect the mental health of patients and improve their quality of life during cancer treatment. This field was developed to understand and manage the stress, anxiety, depression and other psychological effects of cancer on individuals.

About Psycho-oncology

Psycho-oncology is at the intersection of the fields of oncology and psychiatry. This discipline provides psychological interventions, counseling services, and therapeutic approaches to meet the emotional needs of cancer patients. Psycho-oncologists address the emotional reactions experienced by patients and families starting from the diagnosis of cancer, develop strategies to cope with the stress that occurs during this process, and support patients in adapting to the treatment process.

Who is a Psycho-Oncology Specialist and What Are Their Duties?

A psycho-oncologist is a professional who provides support for the psychological, social and emotional needs of cancer patients. These specialists help patients understand and manage the emotional reactions they may experience from the moment of diagnosis. The duties of psycho-oncologists include important tasks such as managing stress and anxiety, treating depression, increasing patient compliance with treatment and providing support to family members.

What are the Types of Psycho-oncology?

Depression and Anxiety During Treatment: Cancer diagnosis and treatment can lead to emotional difficulties such as depression and anxiety in patients. Psycho-oncology provides therapy and support to manage these emotional states and increase patient compliance with treatment.

• Medication Side Effects and Emotional Responses: The side effects of medications used during cancer treatment can create emotional and psychological stress in patients. During this process, strategies are developed to help patients cope with the side effects.
• Family Communication and Support: The cancer process can affect the patient's relationships with family members. Psycho-oncology offers therapies to strengthen family communication and support family members for the patient.
• Treatment Resistance and Non-Compliance: Some patients may be resistant to cancer treatment or have difficulty adapting to the treatment process. Psycho-oncology helps these patients better adapt to treatment and accept the process.
• Fear of Death and Existential Anxiety: Cancer patients may experience fear of death and existential anxiety. This situation is addressed in psycho-oncology, which helps patients cope with these fears and re-evaluates the meaning of their lives.
• Fear of Relapse: One of the biggest fears of patients after treatment is that the disease will relapse. Psycho-oncology develops strategies to manage this fear and enable patients to continue their lives safely.
• Chronic Pain and Its Psychological Effects: Chronic pain associated with cancer can be psychologically exhausting for patients. Psycho-oncology provides the necessary support to manage pain and increase the emotional resilience of patients during this process.

These topics cover the important challenges associated with the psychological dimensions of the cancer treatment process and illustrate the critical role that psycho-oncology plays in addressing these challenges.

What are the Psychological Reactions That May Occur After a Cancer Diagnosis?

Receiving a cancer diagnosis is a very stressful and emotionally challenging process for patients. Various psychological reactions may occur during this process.

• Shock and Denial: Many patients initially experience shock when they receive a cancer diagnosis and have difficulty accepting it. Denial is a common initial reaction to such a diagnosis, and patients may tend to deny or downplay the diagnosis.
• Fear and Anxiety: A cancer diagnosis can cause patients to feel great uncertainty about their future. This uncertainty is compounded by fear of death, concerns about the treatment process, and thoughts about how the disease will affect loved ones.
• Depression: Patients may experience feelings of hopelessness and helplessness after diagnosis. The length of treatment, physical changes, and difficulties brought on by the disease may lead to the emergence of depressive symptoms.
• Anger: A cancer diagnosis can trigger feelings of anger in many patients. Patients may question why they have this disease and may find the situation unfair, which can lead to angry outbursts.
• Feelings of Guilt: Some patients may feel guilty, thinking that their illness is their own fault. These feelings may be more intense, especially in patients who are conscious of lifestyle factors or genetic predisposition.
• Helplessness and Isolation: A cancer diagnosis can cause patients to feel helpless and alone. These feelings can lead to them withdrawing from their social circles and loved ones, and becoming emotionally isolated.
• Hopelessness: The uncertainty of the treatment process and concerns about the consequences of the disease can cause patients to lose hope for the future. This can make it difficult for them to comply with treatment.

These psychological reactions can negatively affect patients' quality of life and their compliance with treatment processes. Psycho-oncology aims to manage such reactions and help patients adapt to the treatment process in a more positive way.

What are the Situations That Determine the Need for Psychological Support After a Cancer Diagnosis?

There are many factors that determine the need for psychological support after a cancer diagnosis. Factors such as the stage of the disease, the difficulty of the treatment process, the patient's personality traits, previous traumas, and family support determine the degree to which psychological support is necessary. In particular, patients with poor social support or who have had psychiatric problems in the past may need psychological support more.

What Lifestyle Adjustments Can Be Made for Cancer Patients?

Lifestyle adjustments recommended for cancer patients aim to support both physical and psychological well-being. Balanced nutrition, regular physical activity, stress management, adequate sleep, and strengthening social support systems play an important role in improving the quality of life of cancer patients. In addition, staying away from harmful habits such as smoking and alcohol also contributes positively to the treatment process of patients.

What is the Importance of Psychological Support in Cancer?

Psychological support is of great importance during cancer treatment. Psychological support helps patients cope with stress, adapt better to treatment, and maintain their quality of life. Effective provision of psychological support keeps patients' morale high, allowing them to more easily cope with the difficulties of the treatment process.

Do Cancer Patients Need Psychological Support?

The majority of patients diagnosed with cancer need psychological support due to the difficult process they are going through. This support helps patients maintain both their emotional and mental health. In addition, it has been observed that patients who receive psychological support approach the treatment process more positively and cope with the disease more effectively.