Psycho-Oncology

Psycho-oncology is a subspecialty of oncology that deals with the behavioral science aspects of cancer, including psychiatry, psychology, and sociology. Psycho-oncology research and clinical practice address a better understanding of, and the care for, the psychological response and the adaptation to cancer-related issues in patients and caregivers. Communication with patients is an essential clinical practice for all healthcare professionals. In particular, the clinical importance of advance care planning, in which patients share in advance with caregivers and healthcare professionals about their preferences and values-based care, has been increasingly recognized in recent decades. Communication skills training using behavior-change techniques is effective for healthcare professionals in acquiring desirable communication behaviors. An effective patient-centered approach is the question prompt list, a comprehensive list of questions that patients frequently ask healthcare professionals. Patients develop various psychological symptoms throughout their cancer journey. Depression is one of the major psychological symptoms. It is critical to promptly conduct appropriate screening for psychological distress and provide medication and psychotherapy by mental health professionals. Progress in psycho-oncology has been closely linked to the development of cancer medicine and its surrounding social environment. This progress has expanded in recent years in Asian countries as well.