Psychosocial Support Services/Assessment

Each year 22,000 women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer (OC), over 15,000 die, and more than 200,000 live with the often devastating physical, emotional, and social impacts.

Annually, over 70,000 adolescents and young adults (AYAs) are diagnosed with cancer.

A diagnosis of breast cancer (BC) impacts the entire family, especially the male partner of the patient.

A breast cancer diagnosis and recommended treatment produces high levels of anxiety in patients.

Recently, the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) and the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) published practice guidelines advocating that all cancer patients be asked about sexual concerns during treatment planning and follow-up.

Oncology navigation spans the continuum of cancer care, from prevention through end-of-life care.

Studies indicate that a high fear of cancer recurrence may be correlated with posttraumatic stress disorder in long-term survivors. A better understanding of this fear in cancer survivors can help clinicians manage this problem effectively.

Sarah Cannon Cancer Institute, the Oncology Service line for Medical City Healthcare in the Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas area, has a team of 13 disease-suite oncology nurse navigators and 2 survivorship navigators.

The authors present their findings from a study testing the effects of an early intervention by the Breast Cancer Navigator on distress.

Frank Riessman’s Helper Theory (1965) posits that peer support networks can be powerful tools to extend care delivery—benefiting both the giver and receiver of informal care.