Taking care of the mental health of cancer patients is essential to improve their quality of life, facilitate adherence to treatment, improve communication with the medical team and mitigate possible associated comorbidities, such as depression. In this sense, psycho-oncology provides comprehensive support to patients and their families, reducing stress and anxiety, and facilitating adaptation to treatment and recovery.
What is Psycho-oncology?
Psycho-oncology is a branch of psychology that focuses on emotional, psychological and social aspects that are related to cancer. It addresses the impact of diagnosis and treatment on patients and their families.
As Belén Pérez Peiro, a psycho-oncologist at IVOQA, explains, psycho-oncology provides “the support and strategies necessary” to manage stress, anxiety, depression and other emotional problems that may arise.
Importance of psycho-oncology in the treatment of cancer
Psycho-oncology provides emotional support in coping with diagnosis and treatment, offering techniques to manage stress and anxiety. It helps to adapt to changes in daily life and to the side effects of treatment. It facilitates communication with the medical team and family members, improving quality of life and encouraging a positive attitude towards treatment and subsequent recovery.
Areas of intervention in psycho-oncology
Emotional and psychological support is crucial in the comprehensive treatment of cancer patients. This support is provided through various psychological intervention techniques that seek to improve the quality of life of the patient and his or her family.
Emotional and psychological support
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy: helps patients identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviors that contribute to anxiety and depression.
Mindfulness: promotes mindfulness and acceptance of the present moment, reducing stress and improving emotional well-being.
Psychoeducation: provides information about cancer and its treatment, helping patients and their families to better understand and manage the disease. - Supportive therapy: provides a safe space for patients to express their emotions and concerns.
Stress and anxiety management
Relaxation, mindfulness and stress management techniques are taught to help patients remain calm and better manage the emotional and physical challenges they face. These tools are essential to reduce anxiety and improve overall well-being.
Social and group support
Group therapies have a positive impact by becoming a space for sharing experiences and feelings among patients who present similar situations. They foster a sense of community and mutual support, helping to reduce feelings of isolation and loneliness. “These include their own strategies for managing stress and anxiety,” stresses Pérez Peiro.
Adaptation to life changes
Cancer and its treatment can cause alterations in the body, from hair loss to extreme fatigue. On an emotional level, it is common to experience a roller coaster of feelings, ranging from anxiety and fear to hope and gratitude. Socially, family and friendship dynamics may change, as well as perceptions of personal identity. Recognizing and addressing these changes is crucial to maintaining a good quality of life during and after treatment.
“It is crucial to continue therapy after treatment to address post-traumatic stress and anxiety about recurrence. Patients live in fear of the return of the disease and it is important to help them live in the present moment, as well as help them with adjustment to their life, improve long-term quality of life, and provide ongoing support in case there are, for example, side effects that can be physical as well as psychological or emotional,” highlights the psycho-oncologist.
Proven benefits of psycho-oncology
Reducing stress and anxiety contributes to a greater sense of well-being and happiness, allowing patients to enjoy their daily lives more.
“The goal is to encourage patients to feel confident and secure, as going to a hospital and being with unfamiliar people is very hard. When facing complicated situations, it is crucial that communication with medical staff is pleasant and close, and that patients are given a sense of dignity and respect throughout the process. This helps them enormously in not feeling like a number,” continues the specialist in psycho-oncology.
Psycho-oncology at IVOQA
The IVOQA program focuses on providing comprehensive support to oncology patients and their families to manage all physical and psychological symptoms such as anxiety, depression and stress. It also provides support to family members and caregivers and provides resources to promote education and training about their disease and treatments.
“From IVOQA there is a wide variety of tools such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, relaxation techniques, support groups and a lot of education on stress and coping techniques, as well as psychological support for family members,” Pérez Peiro emphasizes.
For their part, patients from outside Madrid can follow the therapy through videoconsultations. “This possibility facilitates adherence to therapy,” adds the specialist.
In short, IVOQA creates a welcoming and non-sterile space, fosters empathy and communication between medical staff and patients, and provides private spaces for patients to have confidential conversations. It also offers emotional and personalized support.
For any questions or queries you can request an appointment with Belén Pérez Peiro, specialist in Psycho-oncology at IVOQA.
