Psycho-oncology vs childhood cancer

When faced with the news that a family member suffers child cancer , it is time to look for specialists who provide their knowledge and company to fight the battle successfully. For this reason, it is important not only to rely on the pediatric oncologist, but also on an expert who can make a difference during the treatment as the psycho-oncologist.

Psycho-oncology is the sub-specialty that arises from the association of psychology and psychiatry with oncology, whose objectives are the attention, teaching and research of the psychological, social, cultural, spiritual and religious aspects of childhood cancer patients. their families; of the repercussion before oncological treatments, as well as the professional and emotional burnout syndrome of the therapeutic team in oncology.

The function of the psycho-oncologist is to respond to the need for professional attention by promoting communication and a good relationship between the oncologist, the patient and the family.

Treatments for childhood cancer such as surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and immunotherapy are extremely aggressive, so it is normal for the patient to be afraid of the deformation of his body and die.

What leads to problems of low self-esteem, anxiety irritability, drowsiness, depression , behavioral changes and mental confusion, which sometimes leads to the abandonment of treatment due to false beliefs, however, everything is resolved with information and support.

In addition, this specialist provides support for the psychological management of physical damage such as alteration of body image, nausea , vomit, hair loss, fatigue , anorexy , peripheral neuropathy (a type of pain in any part of the body of type burning or touch, this is for damage to the nervous root of some part of the body), diarrhea , waste of weight , neurotoxicity of the treatment, that is, a side effect of chemotherapy or radiotherapy on the central nervous system, among others.

 

Let's do it

There are several treatment alternatives such as brief psychotherapy, support, clarification, cognitive-behavioral techniques, relaxation techniques, systematic desensitization techniques, hypnosis and couple, family and group psychotherapy with which favorable results are obtained.

However, the best way to confront the childhood cancer process will be with the help of your family, as well as the entire health team that will always seek to bring you to a successful end and return them to your social and family life with total integrity. "Know yourself, sculpt your character " . If you want to know more information write to: bojorge@teleton.org.mx

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