Cognitive Therapy and Cancer

The domain of psycho-oncology includes the formal study, understanding and treatment of the social, psychological, emotional, spiritual, quality of life and functional aspects of cancer; as applied across the cancer trajectory from prevention through to bereavement.Psychotherapeutic approach in treating oncology patients contains work with patients, from the diagnosis till the end of treatment as well as work with medical team. It is important for Psychiatrists-Psychotherapist who provides therapeutic services on oncology department to be familiar with psychoanalytic theory and concepts of psycho-sexual development. Psychoanalytic knowledge greatly contributes to understanding of unique personality in the structure of the patient, specific models of stress response, unique defense mechanisms, and memory as a result of unique experiences, fantasy, fiction, desire, dreams, thoughts and feelings