This document outlines the key aspects of oncology and the role of clinical health psychologists in oncology settings. It begins with definitions of oncology and cancer. It then discusses primary prevention strategies and the relationship between social support and cancer patients' adjustment. Finally, it describes the clinical health psychologist's role in providing direct care, consultation, administration, research, and education to enhance patient care and communication within the oncology team.

2. Outline
 Definition
 Introduction
 Objectives
 Literature review
 Research methodology
 Results and discussion
 Conclusion and recommendations

3. Definition
Oncology: The term oncology literally means a branch of
science that deals with tumors and cancers. The word “onco”
means bulk, mass, or tumor while “-logy” means study (Dr Ananya
Mandal, MD). So Oncology means the study of tumor, mass or bulk.

4. Introduction
 Cancer is a disorder of cellular growth.
 Cancerous cells may be mechanically
transported through the blood or lymphatic
system to distant sites, where new tumors may
then develop.
 Advances in surgery, chemotherapy,
radiotherapy, and immunotherapy have all
contributed to decreases in cancer mortality
rates.
 Despite improvements in cancer treatment,
Cancer is the third leading cause of death
internationally.

5. Cases Reported in
Pakistan (SKMCH & RC)

6. Primary Prevention
 Primary prevention is aimed at decreasing the
occurrence of cancer.
 A number of behavioral or lifestyle factors have
demonstrated associations with the incidence of
cancer of specific sites.

9. Social Support
 The literature suggests a strong relationship between social support
and adjustment to cancer (Helgeson &Cohen, 1996; Michael et al.,
2002; Pistrang & Barker, 1995).
 In general, individuals who report greater social support have lower
levels of distress and use more adaptive coping techniques
compared to those who repot less social support (Manneet al.,
1999).
 Individuals reporting greater social isolation are more adversely
affected by cancer, such that they experience decreased physical
functioning, lower rating of their quality of life, and increased fatigue
(Michael et al., 2002).

10. Quality of Life in Cancer
Patients Undergoing
Treatment
 Cancer Patients who receive treatment for their cancer experience
multiple stressors, such as treatment side effects, interruption of life
tasks and goals, financial difficulties work related disruptions,
changes in social networks, and continued uncertainty about the
future.
 Symptoms that have been found to increase over the course of
treatment include anxiety, pain appetite loss, and treatment specific
side effects, with increase in fatigue and decreases in functional
abilities (Andersen & Machin 2000).

11. THE CLINICAL HEALTH
PSYCHOLOGIST’S ROLE IN ONCOLOGY
SETTINGS
 Within a given oncology setting, the clinical health
psychologist’s role should be one that provides
the best enhancement of patient care.
 if no other psychosocial services are available to
patients, then the psychologist may function
primarily as a direct care provider for all
distressed patients.
 If, on the other hand, other psychosocial services
are available (e.g., social work, pastoral
counseling), then the psychologist may offer more
targeted patient care.

12. Continue…
 Clinical health psychologists may function as
consultants, administrators, researchers, and educators
( Tovian, 1991).
 To function most effectively in any of these roles, it is
imperative for the psychologist to develop and maintain
good working relationships with other health
professionals.
 Clinical health psychologists may also promote effective
communication between patient and their providers,
both by working with specific provider-patient pairs and
by providing more general education about
communication.

13. Continue…
 It is imperative that the health psychologist has
extensive knowledge of the different types of cancer and
the common cancer treatments.
 Patients may not be able to tolerate long therapy
sessions or may have difficulty traveling to their medical
appointments because of treatment side effects or
sudden changes in their medical status.
 It is important to consider shorter therapy sessions as
well as alternative communication modalities such as
telephone or e mail (Tovian, 1991).

14. REFERENCES
 The Essentials of Clinical Health Psychology. Edited by P. Kennedy
and S. Llewelyn. C _ 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

15. Thank
You…