Cancer Patients In Need of Psychological and Social Support

Committee chair Nancy Adler claims, "Killing cancer cells is important, but not enough to ensure that the adverse effects of patients' therapies don't undermine their gains." Many of the services and resources already exist, but oncology providers are not identifying patients' individual needs and helping them utilize these resources. Many of these psychosocial needs range from information about cancer therapies and the potential side effects, to treatment for depression, stress, and other mental or emotional conditions.

Patients' also need assistance with daily activities they can no longer perform independently and need further aid with transportation, prosthetics, medications, and other supplies they cannot afford or have no easy access to. Addressing psychosocial health needs in protocols, standards, and programs could change how health care approaches treatment for other serious chronic illnesses as well.