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Psycho-oncology is a branch of psychology that raises issues related to the psychological condition of an oncological patient. It focuses on therapeutic help and mental health prevention for people with cancer and their families. Below are the most important issues related to psycho-oncology.
What is psycho-oncology?
The physical condition of the organism is strongly related to the mental condition of a person – psycho-oncology is based on this relationship. It is a relatively new branch of psychology, which was established in the 70s, but has been developing gradually and did not become established in Poland until 1992. Although knowledge of the important role of the psyche in the context oncological diseases has become much more common, there are still few specialists in the field of psycho-oncology in Poland. It is influenced, among others, by under-financing of the Polish health care system and insufficient number of certified psycho-oncologists.
One of purposes of psycho-oncology is to provide psychological help to people suffering from neoplastic diseases. It is also important to support the families of the sick, both through psychological counseling and transferring knowledge on effective communication with the sick and effective support for them.
Mental health plays an important role in the treatment of cancer.
Another important area of psycho-oncology activity is the dissemination of knowledge about cancer prevention. This is not only about preventive examinations, but also knowledge about the methods of early cancer detection (e.g. self-examination) and the influence of lifestyle on reducing the risk of neoplastic changes. This is because the state of physical health is influenced not only by the diet and physical activity, but also by the mental and emotional condition.
Who can benefit from psycho-oncological support?
Psycho-oncological assistance is directed primarily to cancer patients and their families. Sick people need support at various stages of cancer development. The diagnosis itself is associated with a psychological burden. The reaction to information about cancer may manifest itself in the form of reluctance to treatment or cooperation with doctors, lead to difficulties in contacts with relatives and depressive symptoms. Difficult to work through emotional states also appear during subsequent phases of treatment – research, radiotherapy, chemotherapy or surgery.
The psycho-oncologist provides the patient with therapeutic support, helps to cope with stress and emotions, as well as with more serious mental disorders resulting from the onerous fight against cancer. Some people may experience symptoms of depression that vary in severity, as well as thoughts of suicide. Psycho-oncological consultations or psychotherapy are useful for people at different stages of the disease, but are also recommended for those who are healed.
- Check how psychotherapy helps in coping with stress
During oncological treatment, a psycho-oncologist may make the patient aware of the importance of mental attitude in this process. Motivation to undergo the necessary procedures and setting new goals improves the patient’s quality of life, and in the event of therapeutic therapy failures, it facilitates coping with the new situation. Returning to normal functioning can also be a challenge for patients who have managed to overcome cancer. This may be due to emotional exhaustion from the disease, fear of relapses, or general difficulties in facing the difficulties of everyday life again.
Psycho-oncology is becoming more and more important in global oncology centers, and is gradually gaining importance also in Poland.
Not only people suffering from cancer benefit from the opportunity to talk to a psycho-oncologist. Such support for educational and therapeutic purposes is also extremely important for families and relatives of cancer patients. They are also exposed to very strong stress, and they often do not know how to talk to the patient and support him properly. For family members, psychotherapy is also recommended when the patient recovers or loses the fight against the disease.
Read more:
- Mourning and loss and psychotherapy – how to come to terms with death?
- When there is no hope – to speak or hide?
Psycho-oncology – forms of help
In psycho-oncology, various methods of working with the patient are used. The use of a particular approach depends on the stage of the disease and the general condition of the person suffering from cancer or a loved one. It is extremely popular the Simonton method aimed at improving the emotional state of the patient. It combines elements of cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy, relaxation and self-cognitive methods. It is holistic and largely based on internal work, the patient strives to better understand the experienced emotions and develop effective ways to deal with them.
The aim of the Simonton method is to restore the physical and emotional balance of a person suffering from cancer or their relatives. This allows you to improve communication with other people, increase self-confidence and change the approach to the situation. This is the basis for increasing involvement in the disease treatment process or shifting the focus from failure to other aspects of life.
Another form of helping cancer patients is ACT, that is acceptance and commitment therapy. Its aim is to work with the patient in such a way that he accepts the situation in which he finds himself, but also focuses on the present moment and finds meaning and pleasure in normal activities.
In psycho-oncology, MBSR therapy is also used, i.e. Stress Reduction Training based on mindfulness. This method relieves somatic symptoms, and research shows that it normalizes the state of the immune system.
- Read an interview with a psycho-oncologist to find out more
Psycho-oncological assistance costs
The possibility of using the support of psychologists or psychotherapists with psycho-oncological preparation in Poland is limited to private services. Although psycho-oncology is not a service reimbursed by the National Health Fund, some medical centers offer free psychological assistance in this area. However, there is no guarantee that there will be a psycho-oncologist among specialists in the field of psychology or psychotherapy. In such a case, a psychologist experienced in helping cancer patients can work with the patient.
A single psycho-oncological consultation or therapeutic meeting may cost an average of PLN 100–150. The visit takes an average of 50-60 minutes.