PSYCHO-ONCOLOGY: AN INTEGRAL PART OF COMPREHENSIVE CAREFOR PATIENTS WITH ONCOLOGICAL DISEASES

Abstract

Psychooncology is a scientific discipline focused on the study of the psychological, emotional, social, and behavioural aspects of cancer. The relationship between stress and malignancy is bidirectional. Exposure to chronic stress increases the risk of developing cancer, and the disease itself and its treatment cause chronic distress in patients. The incidence of cancer is increasing worldwide, and so is its importance. In the future, psycho-oncology will be an increasingly important part of the complex care of patients with malignant diseases, providing a better quality of life for patients, their families and the medical professionals involved in their diagnosis and treatment.