BMJ 2002;325:377-380 ( 17 August )

Clinical review

ABC of psychological medicine

Cancer

Craig A White, Una Macleod. 

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

Cancer is the most feared of diseases. Unsurprisingly, it causes considerable psychological distress in patients, families, carers, and often those health professionals who care for them. Only a minority of cancer patients develop psychiatric illness, but other psychologically and socially determined problems are common. These include unpleasant symptoms such as pain, nausea, and fatigue; problems with finances, employment, housing, and childcare; family worries; and existential and spiritual doubts. Well planned care that fully involves patients and their families can minimise these problems.


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    Psychological consequences

Though often dismissed as "understandable," distress is a treatable cause of reduced quality of life and poorer clinical outcome. Some patients delay seeking help because they fear or deny their symptoms of distress. Presentation can be obvious, as depressed or anxious mood can manifest as increased severity of somatic complaints such as breathlessness, pain, or fatigue. Adjustment disorder is the commonest psychiatric diagnosis, and neuropsychiatric complications may occur. . . . [Full text of this article]
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This article has been cited by other articles:

  • Reavley, N., Pallant, J. F., Sali, A. (2009). Evaluation of the Effects of a Psychosocial Intervention on Mood, Coping, and Quality Of Life in Cancer Patients. Integr Cancer Ther 8: 47-55 [Abstract]  
  • Dein, S. (2003). Psychiatric liaison in palliative care. Adv. Psychiatr. Treat. 9: 241-248 [Abstract] [Full text]  

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