March Member Meeting
The Importance of Psycho-Oncology
This month, our global member meeting focused on psycho-oncology as an important and evolving field within cancer care.
While cancer is often treated primarily as a physical illness, this session reminded us that its impact goes far beyond the body. Psycho-oncology explores the psychological, emotional, and behavioural responses to cancer for both patients and their families throughout the entire cancer journey.
From the moment of diagnosis, individuals may experience a wide range of emotions, including fear, anxiety, uncertainty, and even isolation. These responses can influence not only the quality of life but also how patients engage with treatment and care. Psycho-oncology seeks to better understand these experiences and provide the tools and support needed to navigate them.
A key takeaway from the discussion was that mental health is not separate from cancer care, it is a critical part of it. Addressing distress, supporting coping mechanisms, and fostering resilience can significantly improve patient outcomes and overall well-being.
An important part of the conversation also touched on the need for contextual and culturally appropriate approaches, particularly in diverse and resource-limited settings. The way individuals process and express emotional distress is shaped by culture, community, and lived experience, and our responses must reflect that.
As advocates, this session was a powerful reminder that effective cancer care must consider the whole person, not just the disease. Psycho-oncology gives us the language and framework to better support patients in ways that are compassionate, evidence-based, and deeply human.
We are grateful for the insights shared by Macarena Fernandez and remain committed to advancing conversations and actions that place mental and emotional well-being at the heart of cancer care.
Our next meeting is on April 15th at 16:00 UTC. We hope you’ll join us!
To subscribe to the calendar of future meetings or to watch the recordings of past meetings, visit the GCCA Member Portal. The password is available in our latest member newsletter, or you can email jenn@globalcca.org for access.
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