“We need to provide specialized and individualized psychological support to patients who are confronted with a diagnosis of cancer.” This is what a group of researchers from CINTESIS – Center for Health in Technology Services Research and the University of Aveiro said in the framework of the I National Congress of Scientific Research on Psychosocial Oncology – ICOP they are organizing and that will be held in March 2019 in Aveiro.
The team is developing several works to understand the information and support that cancer patients receive and identify needs yet to be explored. The aim is to reinforce the importance of Psycho-Oncology in Portugal through the sharing of knowledge and experience.
It is internationally recognized that cancer patients are subject to high emotional pain and suffering. Intervention in cancer should thus consider the various domains of the person’s life, enhancing improvements in the quality of life. In particular, cancer patients experience high emotional distress that justifies the prevalence of psychiatric disorders in this population.
Studies demonstrate the need to identify the indicators of emotional adjustment, needs and challenges that cancer patients face from the time of diagnosis, through treatment, to palliative care. In this way, the Psychosocial Oncology or Psycho-Oncology emerges as a new field of treatment.
“However, the inclusion of psychosocial oncology in the effective treatment of cancer presents some weaknesses worldwide. In some regions, care delivery continues to take a predominantly biomedical approach to patient care,” warns the CINTESIS research team.
Health care provided to cancer patients should be multidisciplinary and include the psychosocial aspect of the patient’s experience. “Cancer patients not only present problems related to physical health, but also psychological, social and existential issues that can compromise their well-being. Emotional suffering affects patients and their response to treatment, so it is necessary to intervene, “explains Ana Bártolo, a member of the organization.
A life-threatening disease such as cancer will definitely bring emotional consequences. Sadness may be a normal response to cancer diagnosis, however, stress beyond the coping mechanisms of patients can lead to depression.
It is to raise awareness about this problem that the ICOP will be held. “With the ICOP we want to promote research projects and intervention in the area of Psychosocial Oncology with the participation of different educational institutions and research units, without losing sight of a holistic approach to the cancer patient,” explains Sara Monteiro, who is also professor at the University of Aveiro.
The goal is “to provide a moment of sharing scientific knowledge, nationwide, focused on psychosocial adaptation and rehabilitation in oncological disease”. According to Isabel Monteiro, member of ICOP’s organizing committee, renowned speakers were invited to the event.
Luzia Travado, of the Champalimaud Foundation, is one of the speakers already confirmed. The specialist in Health Psychology will talk about the role and challenges of Psycho-Oncology in improving cancer care. Issues related to well-being and quality of life in cancer survivors will be addressed by José L. Pais Ribeiro, from the Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Porto. Isabel Leal, a specialist from ISPA, will also be present to talk about posttraumatic growth in cancer disease.
At this moment, the organization calls for the submission of abstracts (until November 30) by all the professionals who work or want to contribute scientifically to the improvement of care delivery in this area, whether they are doctors, nurses, psychologists, social workers, or others.