Psycho-Oncology in Istanbul
Psycho-oncology addresses the psychological, social, behavioral, and psychiatric aspects of cancer care. Istanbul JCI-accredited centers integrate psycho-oncology services into the treatment pathway from diagnosis through survivorship.
Services Offered
- Anxiety & depression management: CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy), MBSR (mindfulness-based stress reduction), antidepressant/anxiolytic pharmacotherapy when needed
- Pain management: Multimodal approach โ pharmacological, behavioral, and interventional pain strategies
- Fear of recurrence: Structured psychological interventions shown to reduce worry and improve quality of life
- Family & caregiver support: Psychoeducation, family counseling, caregiver burnout prevention
- Sexuality & body image: Post-treatment sexual health counseling for breast, prostate, gynecologic cancers
- Palliative psychological care: Dignity therapy, meaning-centered therapy, grief support
EVIDENCE BASE
Meta-analyses show psychological interventions reduce anxiety by 30-40%, depression by 25-35%, and improve immune function and treatment adherence in cancer patients.
Who Benefits
All cancer patients benefit. Psycho-oncology support is particularly important at: diagnosis, during active treatment, post-treatment adjustment, recurrence, and end of life.