Studies of Psychological Support for Cancer Patients

Three new studies present three new approaches to treatment providing psychological support for cancer patients. The studies were published at this year’s ASCO congress.

At various stages of cancer, individuals experience different psychological changes brought on by the disease. Without adequate morale and psychological support, these changes can significantly reduce patients’ quality of life and make their struggle with cancer harder.

In cancer treatment, psychological support is as important a factor as chemotherapy treatment. To meet this need, approximately 50 years ago a new discipline emerged called cancer psychology – psycho-oncology . It aims to identify and alleviate psychological problems patients and relatives may experience in diagnosis and treatment.

The American Society of Clinical Oncology ASCO evaluated three new approaches to cancer psychology at this year’s meeting. They are, respectively:

• The STREAM study during cancer diagnosis and treatment
• The “Conquer Your Fear” study during cancer survivorship
• The CALM study in the final stage of cancer

The STREAM Study

This is an internet-supported stress management study. Conducted with 129 newly diagnosed patients, it was based on “minimal contact” because cancer treatments take up so much patients’ time. Under this principle, psychologists contacted patients only once a week during the intervention.

During the 8-week intervention, some patients received cognitive therapy and others were followed without intervention. Those receiving cognitive therapy were given weekly online information about its concepts. To understand treatment effects, patients completed a questionnaire at the end of each weekly treatment.

Questionnaire results showed that after 8 weeks, negative emotions had decreased in the cognitive therapy arm, with a corresponding improvement in quality of life.

The “Conquer Your Fear” Study

This study targeted, in cancer survivors, fear of cancer recurrence . The phase 2 clinical trial included survivors of colon cancer, breast cancer and melanoma skin cancer, totaling 222 patients. The experimental arm received the “Conquer Your Fear” intervention and the control arm “Take It Easy.” In the “Conquer Your Fear” arm, patients were taught that whether cancer will return is uncertain and that they need to accept this reality.

In the “Take It Easy” control arm, patients learned relaxation techniques. In both arms, face-to-face sessions were held over 10 weeks, lasting 60 or 90 minutes.

A questionnaire at the end of the study showed less fear of cancer recurrence in the “Conquer Your Fear” arm than in the control arm.

The CALM Study

The study’s full name means Managing Cancer and Living Meaningfully . It was conducted to address the psychological needs of individuals in the final stage of cancer. It enrolled 305 advanced cancer patients. The experimental arm received CALM and the control arm standard psychological treatment.

The CALM arm covers four main areas:

• Managing complaints and communicating with healthcare professionals
• Changes caused by illness in the individual and relationships with loved ones
• A sense of purpose and meaning
• The future and death

Over a period of 3 to 6 months, patients received 3 to 6 therapy sessions. After the CALM arm’s 3-month intervention, depressive symptoms decreased by %52. At 6 months of treatment, this rate rose to %65. Healthcare professionals in 20 countries worldwide are now being trained in CALM.

Conclusion

Psychological support for cancer patients is as important as cancer treatment itself. These studies are valuable contributions to cancer psychology. Future research in this area offers hope for both cancer patients and their relatives.