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 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.
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