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Psychosocial oncology
Chapter

Psychosocial oncology

Abstract

A substantial proportion of cancer patients suffer some form of social, emotional and psychological distress and challenges as a result of their disease and its treatment. Unattended, psychosocial issues can leave patients and families ill-equipped to cope and manage their cancer diagnosis and treatment. When psychosocial care is properly integrated into clinical care, it has direct impact on the patient's quality of life. Psychosocial aspects must be integrated into routine cancer care. The patient should be screened at their initial visit for psychosocial needs and survivors should have a treatment plan that includes attention to possible increased anxiety on completing treatment, development of posttraumatic stress symptoms, mixed anxiety and depressive symptoms, among others.

Authors

Henry B; Agarwal A; Chow E; Merrick J

Book title

Palliative Care Psychosocial and Ethical Considerations

Pagination

pp. 3-8

Publication Date

January 1, 2017

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