- Santosh K Chaturvedi: Department of Psychiatry, National Institute of Mental Health & Neurosciences, Bangalore, India. skchatur@gmail.com
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The objectives of this review are to identify new studies in the area of psychooncology, and ascertain the directions current studies are taking.
RECENT FINDINGS: New studies relate to the measurement of distress, which is being strongly proposed as the sixth vital sign in the assessment of patients with cancer. Attempts to use different scales and instruments to screen for depression and psychiatric morbidity in patients with cancer have also been made. Posttraumatic stress disorder, fatigue, somatization and cognitive dysfunctions have been studied. The field of psychoneuroimmunology has further strengthened our understanding of the impact of stress on immune function. Cancer survivors and their coping methods, sexual health, and suicidality have been the focus of research in the last year. Quality of life of caregivers has also been studied, as has spirituality. Cognitive behaviour group therapy in relatives of patients with cancer appears to be helpful.
SUMMARY: New studies in psychooncology have focused on the relationship between psychosocial factors and cancer, such as detection of distress and psychiatric morbidity, intervention, coping methods used by survivors, and psychoneuroimmunology. Research in psychooncology is an exciting area despite numerous challenges.