Lo, C., Li, M., and Rodin, G. (2008) The assessment and treatment of distress in cancer patients: Overview and future directions. Minerva Psichiatrica, 49 (2). pp. 129-143.

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Abstract

Cancer is uniformly associated with distress at all points in the disease trajectory. There has been increasing awareness of the need to identify, prevent, and treat such distress, although evidence is still accumulating regarding the benefit of specific interventions. The clinical presentations of distress on a continuum from non-pathological sadness to major depression are discussed, and the issues surrounding its assessment and treatment are reviewed. Recent research provides modest support for the benefit of both psychosocial and pharmacological interventions, although further study is needed to evaluate the impact of routine distress screening and triage for psychosocial care. Data is presented to support a multifactorial model for the emergence of distress and recommendations are made regarding future directions for research in this area. These include the development of more tailored interventions with attention to specific characteristics and needs of patients and families and to potential biological contributors to distress. Efforts to prevent and relieve distress at all stages of the disease are important in order to reduce suffering and preserve quality of life in patients with cancer. Such approaches are most likely to be effective if they are implemented early in the disease trajectory and integrated with palliative and routine cancer care. Their wide-spread implementation may require newer and novel means of treatment delivery, which include group interventions, telephone counseling, and the use of the internet. However, attention to distress in patients with cancer and other medical conditions may help to ensure that the care that is delivered is comprehensive and patient-centered, with patient wellbeing and quality of life as central outcomes.

Item ID:	86527
Item Type:	Article (Research - C1)
ISSN:	1827-1731
Related URLs:	Publisher
Copyright Information:	Copyright © 2008 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA
Date Deposited:	12 Aug 2025 03:13
FoR Codes:	32 BIOMEDICAL AND CLINICAL SCIENCES > 3202 Clinical sciences > 320221 Psychiatry (incl. psychotherapy) @ 50% 52 PSYCHOLOGY > 5203 Clinical and health psychology > 520399 Clinical and health psychology not elsewhere classified @ 50%
SEO Codes:	20 HEALTH > 2004 Public health (excl. specific population health) > 200499 Public health (excl. specific population health) not elsewhere classified @ 100%
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