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The increase of the efficiency of oncological treatments has allowed a greater openness in communicating the diagnosis and in exploring the psychological difficulties associated with this disease. Psycho-oncology is an oncological subdiscipline that was introduced formally in the 1970s, aiming to respond to the psychosocial problems associated with the disease. Thus, the psychological difficulties faced by oncological patients, their families and the medical staff involved in the care were investigated, and interventions were proposed to increase adaptation to the disease and reduce distress. Although psycho-oncology can take pride in a number of achievements obtained over the years, there are still challenges that need to be treated. This paper summarises the needs addressed by this discipline, and points out its achievements and associated challenges, aiming to be a plea to support the development of this field.
Keywords: psycho-oncology, cancer, psych
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