Psychological support for patients with lung cancer

Maria Rogiewicz

Vol 3, No 3 (2004): Polish Palliative Medicine

Artykuły poglądowe

Published online: 2004-04-27

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Psychological support for patients with lung cancer

Maria Rogiewicz

Advances in Palliative Medicine 2004;3(3):301-314.

Vol 3, No 3 (2004): Polish Palliative Medicine

Artykuły poglądowe

Published online: 2004-04-27

Abstract

A person learning to have lung cancer responds with shock and disbelief. Some cancer patients are able to cope with this difficult situation but some of them need psychological support. The article focuses on those patients diagnosed with non-small cell and small cell lung cancer who do need psychological support. Because of the many ways in which cancer patients treat the disease, for example as an obstacle which may be overcome or avoided, or as an insurmountable difficulty, or even as a punishment or a relief, various methods of support are described. The shifting nature of the disease, from diagnosis to therapy, surgery and palliative care, requires that the psychologist be flexible in his or her approach and thus adjust the methods to the stage of the cancer and to the mode of treatment, whether surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or symptomatic treatment.