Psicooncología: abordaje emocional en oncología

Abstract

The objective of this article is revealing the existence, importance and need of having a psycho-oncologist among the members of the multidisciplinary team responsible for oncological patients, their relatives, and health professionals. In the course of the disease, new situations and life experiences occur; therefore, the intervention and involvement of the oncologist vary according the illness stage or phase the patient is going through at that specific time. In order to meet the objective of offering a better quality of life, it is important that these changes are assessed and attended to from the very moment they are first diagnosed. Delving into these aspects will help us to get better acquainted with this new specialty of Psychology, devoted to cancer prevention, diagnosis, evaluation, treatment, rehabilitation, palliative care, and etiology.