Psychooncology
The psychology of the cancer patient and his/her family not only has moved into the center of public attention, but has also become a serious subject of psychosocial research.
While technical advances in cancer treatment, such as surgeries, chemotherapies, and radiation treatments, often result in a patient’s recovery or prolonged survival, they are also accompanied by a long process of chronic disease. Cancer treatments performed by highly specialized professionals, each sharing in the patient’s care, can heighten the fear and bewilderment experienced by the patients and their families, who are already dealing with the challenges of diagnosis, side effects of treatments, and the numerous losses and discomforts of cancer
Today, there is growing recognition of the emotional impact of cancer and its treatment on a patient’s quality of life and perhaps also on the outcome of the disease.
The significance of psychodynamic concepts of defense and adaptation, the role of unconscious fears, wishes, and fantasies, and the importance of the recognition and evaluation of feelings of depression, anxiety and other psychosocial influences in the development of health and illness are more recognized and treated and thus integrated within traditional medicine and particular in oncology.
Art Therapy for Persons with Cancer
When those with cancer can use creative means such as the visual arts, writings diaries, poetry or musical expression, we no only gain insights into identifying the major concerns of all cancer patients, but we can also employ an important treatment tool, namely art therapy, in dealing with losses and mourning related to the chronic, potentially life threatening disease. The healing power of art is a powerful tool that can identify psychological stressors in the fight against cancer and offer a treatment method to relieve symptoms and gain insights into thoughts and behaviors.
For more information: Premiere Oncology Foundation
