Psychological issues on patients with cancer: involvement to screening and appointment with psicooncologist

Abstract

Objective: To know the cancer patient’s characteristics assisted in the Psycho-Oncology, in Basurto Hospital Unit in order to improve the psychological assistance. Method: Retrospective and comparative research on demographic characteristics, medical, psychological and on visit in 115 cancer patients with psychotherapy treatment from 2001 to 2003. These patients are compared with 28 relatives, 119 ordinary psychology pa¬tients, and with 120 cancer patients without psychological therapy. Results: The patients with cancer and psy¬chological therapy are younger, they are in an expanded stage of the disease, with a decrease in the active medical treatments, and a worse prognoses. They have a familiar cancer history (background) and also psychological personal problems. 70% have a diagnostic DSM – IV by means of a clinical interview, the adjustment disorders are the psychopathological diagnosis more frequent (80%), and it is associated with cancer context. Regarding the visit to the psychologist, doctors detect the psychological issues badly, being derived to the psychologist with very poor accurate, when the psychological issues are evident, even consolidated. Therefore, there is not much time left for a psychological therapy. Conclusion: cancer patients need psychological services specilized in this area, not only because the differences with the studied groups but also socio-demographic, medical and psychological characteristics. Methods of early diagnosis is needed to be introduced to meet the psychological issues of the cancer patient’s needs, to be sent to the Psycho-Oncology Unit, to enable its evaluation and treatment of the added distress of the illness.