The Psychological Care of the Cancer Patient: Coping Across the Cancer Spectrum

After completing this course, health professionals will be able to:

1. Discuss research findings on the psychosocial challenges associated with 4 distinct phases of the cancer continuum, including pre-diagnosis/detection (e.g. anticipatory anxiety), diagnosis (e.g., trauma, depression), active treatment (e.g., decisions in the face of medical uncertainty, pain, fatigue, loss of libido) and post-treatment (e.g., re-entry/survivorship/recurrence/end-of-life issues).
2. Recognize 3 psychological disorders commonly associated with the cancer experience along with 2 brief measures to facilitate their assessment in the cancer context.
3. Identify the clinical applicability of 3 evidence-based psychological treatment approaches (e.g., Psychoeducation, Supportive Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy).
4. Compare between the evidence-based utility of individual vs. group formats in the cancer context, and articulate the role of adjuvant pharmacotherapy in this population.