Psycho-Oncology for the Clinician

Book excerpt: This volume strives to give oncologists and other medical practitioners a thorough picture of the oncology patient. It’s designed to show that psychological needs of the patient are an important aspect that should be considered for optimizing the effects of cancer treatment, no less than genetic, immunological, physiological and other medical features that are often considered as necessary components of personalized medicine. Using evidence-based information, the book describes the different ways cancer touches upon a person’s life, including emotional, physical, and social changes, important decisions, and support structure. It also details the phases every cancer patient encounters along the way, from getting tested and waiting for the diagnosis, to treatments, survival, and confronting one’s mortality. Psycho-oncology for the Clinician will serve to contribute to the further scientific development of psycho-oncology, expand its use as a treatment modality, strengthen its status as an essential component of cancer care, and promote the acceptance of psycho-oncology as the new evidence-based constituent of personalized medicine in oncology.