Conference paper

PSYCHOLOGICAL PROBLEMS OF PATIENTS WITH CANCER

Rudolf Gregurek ; Department of Psychological Medicine, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, School of Medicine University of Zagreb, Croatia
Marijana Braš ; Department of Psychological Medicine, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, School of Medicine University of Zagreb, Croatia
Veljko Đorđević ; Department of Psychological Medicine, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, School of Medicine University of Zagreb, Croatia
Ana-Strahinja Ratković ; Department of Psychological Medicine, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, School of Medicine University of Zagreb, Croatia
Lovorka Brajković ; Department of Psychological Medicine, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, School of Medicine University of Zagreb, Croatia

Abstract

Psycho-oncology is a broad approac to cancer therapy with treats the emotional, social, and spiritual distress which often accompanies cancer patients. The development of psycho-oncology began in the second part of the 20th century reflecting the increased interest in the study of cancer patients' psychological reactions to their illness at all stages of its course, and the analysis of the emotional, spiritual, social, and behavioral factors which influence the risk of developing cancer and long-term aftercare treatment. Today the psycho-oncology has become an accepted part of cancer treatment, with departments of psycho-oncology established in most major cancer centers in Canada, the United States and many Western European countries. A key clinical challenge for the oncologist is differentiaing the expected and transient distress associated with cancer from the excessive, disabling distress requiring psychiatric interventions. One third of patients with cancer will experiencedistress which requires evaluation and treatment, and the most common psychiatric disorders and depression, anxiety disorders and adjusment disorders. Psychiatrists should be involved in the multidisciplinary treatment team who work with the cancer patients. Further reaserch is needed to determine the effectiveness of different psychological and psychopharmacological interventions in psycho-oncology and palliative medicine. Mental healt issues should be included in the training of health care professionals in all areas of medicine, psychology and social work to meet the demands of cancer patients.

Keywords

psycho-oncology; cancer; depression; anxiety; adjustment; psychotherapy; psychopharmacology

Hrčak ID:

55684

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/55684

Publication date:

30.6.2010.

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