Addressing psychological challenges after cancer: a guide for clinical practice.
While the completion of therapy is an important milestone in the successful treatment of cancer, many survivors find themselves facing a variety of psychological challenges after their treatment ends. This article highlights some of the most common psychological challenges after cancer therapy such as depression, anxiety, fatigue, and sexual dysfunction. Common risk factors for these challenges will be reviewed and methods for assessing survivors' psychosocial functioning in the context of a medical visit will be discussed. This article also will provide guidance on how to access resources and educational information, and how to make an appropriate referral for follow-up when these psychological challenges are identified.
The Perini Family Survivors' Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute/Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
Christopher J
CJ
Recklitis
Veronica
V
Sanchez-Varela
Sharon
S
Bober
D001007:Anxiety / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D003142:Communication; D003863:Depression / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D005221:Fatigue / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D008605:Mental Health Services; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology*; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012307:Risk Factors; D012735:Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D020018:Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology*