Psychooncology: the role of the psychologist in cancer

It's no wonder that if you hear the word cancer, a chill runs through you. Surely you know someone close to you who is a victim of this disease, or you may even suffer from it or have suffered it in your own flesh; No one is immune from this life-destroying disease in its wake.

According to data from the World Health Organization (WHO), it is one of the leading causes of mortality worldwide, and the number of deaths from this cause increases over the years.

That is why it is important to know the tools that we have to face this reality. And, among these aids, is Psycho-Oncology, which I would like to talk to you about.

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The psychological impact of cancer

For cancer patients, the disease brings both physical, emotional and social difficulties. High levels of depression, anxiety and anguish that this pathology entails, make it necessary to recognize the role of psychological and emotional problems in cancer patients and their families.

Different studies show that between 30 and 50% of people who suffer from the disease present some psychological alteration susceptible to psychological treatment, the most frequent being adjustment disorders, anxiety and depression. The family and the main caregivers of the sick or ill also show a high degree of suffering. The role of the family and its support in the face of cancer is of crucial importance for a good adaptation of the patient to the disease.

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What is Psycho-Oncology?

The branch of psychology in charge of the intervention and counseling of both people affected by cancer and their families and caregivers, It is known as Psychooncology.

This discipline provides important benefits to cancer patients and their families: provides emotional support, reduces the impact of the disease in the affected person and their environment, provides coping skills, management and adaptation to the disease, helps understanding the disease by facilitating medical adherence, and improves communication with the team doctor.

In short, Psychooncology aims to promote the quality of life of the patient and their relatives in the different phases of oncological disease.

Psychooncology according to the phases of the disease

The intervention of the psycho-oncologist differs depending on the evolution of the cancer, since the psychological manifestations change depending on the stage of the disease in which the patient is, their symptoms and the treatments received.

This can intervene in different phases throughout the evolution of the disease.

1. Diagnostic phase

The response upon receiving the diagnosis usually consists of, after an initial moment of shock, in intense emotional responses that include sadness, anger, anxiety, feelings of helplessness, depression, etc. Therefore, the work of the psychologist seeks to mitigate the emotional impact that triggers a cancer diagnosis, provide the patient and their family members with emotional support and coping strategies to cope with the disease.

2. Treatment phase

Cancer treatments (surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy) are aggressive, painful, annoying, and with multiple side effects. Therefore, psychological support, treatment to manage pain and relieve emotional distress they can help the patient adhere to medical treatment.

3. Remission phase

At this stage where the cancer has remitted, the intervention of the psycho-oncologist is based on facilitating the expression of fears and concerns, both of the patient and of his family members, due to the uncertainty and the threat of presenting the disease again. It is important for the psychologist to consolidate a close therapeutic bond, to address the alterations emotional and provide the psychological tools necessary to be able to return little by little to the normal.

4. Relapse phase

It is a stage of great impact because it triggers intense emotional reactions (rage, anger, aggressiveness, despair, etc.). The intervention by Psychooncology in this period consists of addressing and treating depressive and anxious states that can be generated in the patient and her family members and work on adaptation to the new pathological state.

5. Terminal phase

Some of the emotions that usually surface in this phase are denial, anger, depression, isolation, aggressiveness and fear of death. To the patient palliative care is providedIn other words, the cure of the patient is no longer possible and it is sought that he receives the best care in his transition to death. For this, it is necessary to address psychological difficulties, manage pain and symptoms physical, offer social, emotional, spiritual support and enhance control strategies in the patient terminal.

6. Death

When death is imminent, the task arises of accompanying the patient in the process of dying and her family in the elaboration of the mourning, with the aim of preventing a pathological grief. The psycho-oncologist must address the different emotions that the patient faces when approaching death in order to channel your feelings, guide you to close your pending issues and accept your new reality.

7. Duel

Psychological treatment is aimed at helping relatives and friends before the loss of the loved one, accepting the absence of it, working the emotions and the pain that it generates, to be able to adapt to life without the deceased person.

As we have seen, the work of the psycho-oncologist is of crucial importance to reduce the anxiety and depression that a high number of patients present cancer patients and their families, to support them in all phases of the disease, achieving a better adjustment and less suffering in this difficult battle against disease.

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Bibliographic references:

• Almanza M. Holland J. Psychooncology, current state and future perspectives. Rev. Inst. Nacional de Cancerología: Vol. 46 No. 3.

• Die Trill, M. (2003). Psychooncology. Madrid. Ades Editions.

• Hernández, M. Crusader J.A. and Arana, Z. (2007). Psychological problems in cancer patients: difficulties in detection and referral to the psycho-oncologist. Psychooncology, 4, 179-191.