Psycho-oncology sits at the intersection of the physical, psychological, social and behavioral dimensions of the cancer experience, for both patients and caregivers. Also called psychiatric or psychosocial oncology, the field addresses experience beyond medical treatment across the full course of cancer, from diagnosis through survivorship to end of life. It was founded by Jimmie Holland in 1977 at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and has since expanded significantly, becoming a universally recognized part of quality cancer care, with its concerns spanning psychological reactions, the behavioral components of coping, health-behavior change, preventive medicine, provider communication, social support, and the psychosocial influences on biological disease processes, approached through a biopsychosocial model.
Facts
Central QuestionHow do psychological, behavioral and social factors shape the experience and outcomes of cancer for both patients and caregivers, from diagnosis through survivorship to end of life? 1 Key DebateWhether routine distress screening across the cancer trajectory is essential for catching the depression and anxiety that historically went undiscussed between patients and providers, or an intervention still working to overcome the stigma that long kept psychological concerns off the clinical agenda. 1 Level of Analysis Connections
Related Branch
Source Wikipedia: Psycho-oncology
Sources
1. Wikipedia: Psycho-oncology
Wikimedia FoundationOpening paragraph
Psycho-oncology is an interdisciplinary field at the intersection of physical, psychological, social, and behavioral aspects of the cancer experience for both patients and caregivers.
Routine distress screening section
Historically, communication about psychological adjustment was lacking between patients and providers regarding topics related to adjustment to diagnosis, living with cancer, living cancer-free in survivorship, or transitioning to end of life care. The stigmatized nature of psychological concerns made it difficult to identify those patients who could benefit from early intervention to prevent or attenuate symptoms of depression or anxiety that may emerge.
Article text
Also known as psychiatric oncology or psychosocial oncology, researchers and practitioners in the field are concerned with aspects of individuals' experience with cancer beyond medical treatment, and across the cancer trajectory, including at diagnosis, during treatment, transitioning to and throughout survivorship, and approaching the end-of-life.
Article text, origin year
Founded by Jimmie C. Holland in 1977 via the incorporation of a psychiatric service within the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York, the field has expanded and is recognized as integral to cancer care.
View the Source Reader Challenges (0)
No disputes yet. Spotted an error or a better source? Open the first one.
Sign in to dispute this or suggest a correction.