Psychological interventions in the field of oncopsychology

Being diagnosed with cancer not only takes a toll on the physical condition of the individual concerned, but on the mental too, for this reason a comprehensive treatment of cancer patients is a necessity, in order to identify the psychosocial factors and treat them with evidence based psychological methods. The most common psychological problems of cancer patients are anxiety, panic disorder, depression and the illness induced stress reaction called post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Professional psychotherapeutic assistance can contribute to improving the quality of life, reducing stress, developing adaptability, increasing self-efficacy and internal resources, and strengthening collaboration with health workers. The main purpose of this review is to provide introspection for oncology professionals and inquirers into the various psychological trends which can be facilitated in the field of oncopsychology.